BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 22.
Kazakhstan and the UK discussed prospects for cooperation in the
peaceful use of nuclear energy during a meeting between Agency of
Kazakhstan for Atomic Energy, Deputy Chairman Timur Zhantikin and
Lord John Alderdice, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for
Central Asia, the agency said.
“The meeting discussed current issues and prospects
for developing Kazakhstan-UK cooperation in the peaceful use of
nuclear energy,” the agency said.
The Kazakh side briefed the British official on
Kazakhstan’s priorities for developing its nuclear energy sector,
including prospects for deploying small modular reactors (SMRs) and
expanding nuclear power generation.
Following the meeting, the sides confirmed their
mutual interest in continuing constructive dialogue and further
developing cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Kazakhstan is also moving forward with plans to build
its first nuclear power plant near Lake Balkhash, in the village of
Ulken in the Almaty region. Russia’s Rosatom has been selected as
the lead contractor for the project.
Preliminary work for the Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant
project began in Ulken on August 8, 2025. The work includes
engineering surveys to select the optimal site and prepare design
documentation for the large-scale nuclear power plant. More than
90% of field engineering surveys had been completed as of May
2026.
In September 2026, on the sidelines of the 11th
Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Kazakhstan signed a contract
with Rosatom for the engineering, procurement and construction of
the country’s first nuclear power plant. The signing of the
Contract marked the transition of the project to build the first
nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan to a new, practical stage.
Under an intergovernmental agreement signed on May
28, 2026, the parties will continue the required procedures,
including obtaining the necessary approval from the Kazakh
government.
