Tengrinews.kz — Kazakhstan plans to commission at least three nuclear power plants (NPPs) by 2050. The construction of a fourth plant is also envisaged, according to the Atomic Energy Agency.
As the Agency clarified, these plans are set out in the Strategy for the Development of the Nuclear Industry, approved by the Head of State. The document assumes that by 2050 at least three NPPs will be operating in the country.
In addition, taking into account the projected growth in electricity consumption in Kazakhstan, the construction of a fourth plant is also planned. The Agency believes this will make it possible to fully meet the growing needs of the economy and population for reliable and environmentally clean energy.
Kazakhstan also intends to consider options for building NPPs based on small modular reactors, taking into account technological and economic feasibility. As stated in the announcement, such projects could also be used to replace coal-fired power plants that are being phased out.
The implementation of these plans should help diversify the energy sector and significantly strengthen the country’s energy security and independence, the Atomic Energy Agency added.
Context
In March 2025, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, speaking at a meeting of the National Kurultai, said that it was strategically important for Kazakhstan to build not one but three nuclear power plants. He stressed that it is strategically important for Kazakhstan to create a new energy sector that will provide a solid foundation for dynamic economic development for decades to come.
In July 2025, First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar said that the second and third NPPs in Kazakhstan would be built by the Chinese side.
