The Pugwash Committee Secretariat reports that on August 8, 2025, a ceremonial event marking the start of construction of Kazakhstan’s first-ever nuclear power plant took place in the Almaty Region, near the village of Ulken. At the site, a model of the future plant was presented, and drilling officially commenced to collect soil samples for transfer to the Russian side for engineering studies.
“Today’s ceremony marks the start of engineering and survey work - a key preparatory stage on the path to building a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan. This stage determines not only the choice of the specific site and the plant’s configuration, but also the safety, reliability, and economic efficiency of the entire project,” said Almasadam Satkaliyev, Chairman of the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Also speaking at the event was Alexey Likhachev, head of Rosatom, the company chosen to lead the international consortium for the construction of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant.
“I am confident that today will go down in the history of Kazakhstan. We are entering the site and launching practical work on the implementation of a highly inspiring project — the creation of a powerful, modern nuclear power plant in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The engineering work must confirm our theoretical assumptions and determine all the nuances of placing the nuclear power plant, both from a geographical perspective and in terms of technical solutions,” said Alexey Likhachev.
Earlier, on October 6, 2024, 71.12% of voters, with a turnout of 63.66%, supported the construction of the nuclear power plant in a national referendum. This project will become a cornerstone of energy security and is planned for implementation within realistic timeframes. According to the official schedule, the commissioning of the first power unit is planned no earlier than 2032, and the second in 2035. The project includes workforce training, the development of engineering infrastructure, and the creation of a network of scientific and educational partnerships. It is emphasized that oversight will be carried out at all stages — from environmental monitoring to seismic resistance assessment and public consultations.
Sources:
https://forbes.kz/articles/v-ulkene-nachalos-stroitelstvo-pervoy-kazahstanskoy-aes-6847e7/amp
https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/atom-energiyasy/press/news/details/1047792