Kazakhstan - World Nuclear Outlook Report
Nuclear policy and outlook
Kazakhstan is the world's leading producer of uranium. Although it does not currently use nuclear energy, a Russian-designed BN-350 sodium-cooled fast reactor operated near Aktau for 26 years, until 1999.
In January 2024, the government revealed an action plan aiming for nuclear energy to comprise 5% of the national generation mix by 2035.
Russia and Kazakhstan signed intergovernmental agreements in May 2026 that envisage two VVER-1200 reactors, with construction starting in 2027 in the Zhambyl district, and the first unit operating in 2034. In September 2026, Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants (KNPP) and Rosatom subsidiary Atomstroyexport signed the design, supply and construction contract. Kazakh government approval is still required.
A second plant is planned to be built by China’s CNNC next to the first, according to a January 2026 Kazakh government decision. The government is also planning a third plant, as well as looking into deploying SMRs.
Table Kz.1 Contributions to total capacity projection in 2050 (gross)
| 60 year operation (MWe) | 80 year operation (MWe) | Currently under construction capacity (MWe) | Planned capacity (MWe) | Proposed capacity (MWe) | Potential capacity (MWe) | Government capacity target (MWe) | Additional capacity* required to meet government target (MWe) | Total capacity (MWe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | 2400 | 2300 | - | 2400 | 2400 | 7100 |
| *Capacity additional to operable, under construction, planned, proposed and potential capacities required to meet the government target. | ||||||||
Readiness Assessment
Kazakhstan's plans have moved quickly in 2026. The first plant has progressed from vendor selection to a signed construction contract, the second plant now has a site, and a long-term strategy commits to at least three plants.
| Country Category | Newcomer |
|---|---|
| Policy Framework Readiness | High Referendum approval, a 2050 nuclear strategy requiring at least three nuclear plants, selected vendors for the first and second projects and first project financing arrangements establish a strong programme framework. |
| Institutional and Infrastructure Readiness | Moderate-High Kazakhstan has extensive uranium mining, research and historic reactor capabilities, plus established regulation and nuclear institutions. However, Kazakhstan’s regulatory/workforce system for a large nuclear programme remains under development. |
| Programme & Project Development Readiness | Moderate-High The first plant has an identified site region, technology and vendor, financing agreement and active engineering investigations; the second plant is in early development. EPC, construction licensing and FID-equivalent commitment remain ahead. |
| Target Achievability | Moderate One 2.4 GWe plant by the mid-to-late 2030s is increasingly credible. At least three plants by 2050 is feasible but requires two further projects to move rapidly from policy into procurement, financing and construction. |