Kazakhstan Sets 2035 Deadline for Twin Nuclear Reactors Backed by Russia and China

Kazakhstan has set a 2035 target for completing its first two nuclear power plants, advancing a dual-track strategy that partners with Russia for the initial facility and China for the second. The announcement follows a rapid succession of deals struck in mid-2025, positioning nuclear energy as a cornerstone of the country’s long-term infrastructure development.

The first plant, designated the Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant, is slated for a site near the village of Ulken in the Almaty Region, on the shore of Lake Balkhash. The project will be built by a consortium led by Russia’s Rosatom and feature two VVER-1200 Generation III+ reactors with a combined capacity of 2.4 GWe. Early survey work began in August 2025, and the government aims to break ground in 2027. The project’s estimated cost has risen to approximately $16.4 billion, up from an initial $14–15 billion. Moscow is providing a state export loan reported to cover up to 85 percent of the financing, an agreement formalized during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Astana in June 2025.

The second facility, named the Moyynkum Nuclear Power Plant, will also be located near Lake Balkhash. It is being developed in partnership with the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). While technical specifications and commercial terms remain under negotiation, CNNC previously proposed its HPR-1000 (Hualong One) reactor—a Generation III+ pressurized water unit comparable to the Russian VVER-1200—for the first plant tender. Reports indicate the Moyynkum facility would likely consist of two 1,200-megawatt units. Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov confirmed this week that project parameters, including the timeline, are still being discussed, though the government maintains the 2035 completion goal for both sites.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has elevated the nuclear program to a matter of “fundamental importance,” framing it within a broader vision to transform Kazakhstan into a “big construction site.” In an October state-of-the-nation address, he cited the 2024 referendum—which approved nuclear construction amid criticism over pressure on opponents—as the “correct decision.” Tokayev emphasized that the initiative extends beyond reactor construction, requiring the development of high-tech production, technology transfer, and the training of a domestic nuclear workforce, with proposals for such cooperation incoming from both Russian and Chinese firms.

Beyond the two primary projects, Kazakhstan is evaluating a third, medium-capacity plant of 300 to 600 MW. Atomic Energy Agency Chairman Imassadam Satkaliyev stated in early November that potential locations include the city of Kurchatov in the eastern Abai Region or a site in western Kazakhstan, spanning the Aktobe, Atyrau, Mangystau, and West Kazakhstan regions.

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