Kazakhstan among nations planning to construct a nuclear power station: President Nazarbayev
President Nazarbayev speaking at the forum. © Danial Okasov.
Development of the peaceful nuclear power is the only way to meet the growing demand for energy, President Nazarbayev said when speaking at the International Nuclear-Free World Forum in Astana October 12.
“As of today the humankind has no other more powerful source of energy than nuclear power. About 40 nations research the potential of the peaceful nuclear power. 15 states are constructing or planning to construct a nuclear power station, with Kazakhstan being one of them”, President said.
“Kazakhstan has suggested its candidacy to host the nuclear fuel bank under the aegis of the International Atomic Energy Agency. We hope the suggestion will be accepted”, President emphasized.
A nuclear fuel bank is a proposed approach to provide countries access to enriched nuclear fuel, without the need for them to possess enrichment technology. The basic concept is that countries who do have enrichment technology would donate enriched fuel to a "bank", from which countries not possessing enrichment technology would obtain fuel for their power reactors.
“The idea of nuclear-free world has nothing to do with radiophobia. For six decades the ominous shadow of the military nuclear power prevented us from seeing the colossal prospects of the global nuclear power industry”, Nazarbayev said, adding that nuclear-free zones should enjoy international safeguards to protect them from nuclear powers.
Head of State emphasized that hydrocarbons are depleting, and renewable sources are unlikely to provide electric power sufficient to feed the growing global economy. According to him, the humankind has no other choice apart from developing nuclear power potential.
Nazarbayev stressed that nuclear industry is one of the innovation forces, especially given that the nation holds about ¼ of the global uranium reserves.
“We have all the nuclear power industry infrastructure and a huge scientific potential. And we ensure safety and security of all the peaceful nuclear power facilities”, he said.