ASTANA – On August 27 and 28, the KazAtomExpo international exhibition dedicated to nuclear technology and nuclear power was held in Astana. Within this framework, Kazakhstan is exploring alternative forms of clean energy in the pursuit of energy security and carbon neutrality.
KazAtomExpo exhibition. Photo credit: Aibarshyn Akhmetkali/The Astana Times
The dual pressures of the energy crisis and the drive towards net-zero emissions have sparked debate about the benefits of nuclear energy for electricity generation, but have also raised safety concerns about nuclear power plants.
According to Kazakh Energy Minister Almassadam Satkaliyev, building a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan is the only way to meet growing domestic electricity demand and achieve carbon neutrality goals.
“At the moment we are only discussing the construction of a single power plant. But look at the enormous size of Kazakhstan. If we are serious about carbon neutrality in the next 40 years, that is, if we really aim for zero emissions by 2060, there is no alternative to nuclear energy,” Satkaliev said.
The ministry predicts that electricity consumption in Kazakhstan will increase to 152.4 billion kilowatt hours by 2035. At the same time, the capacity of existing energy sources will decrease to less than 135 billion kilowatt hours. Therefore, Kazakhstan will need to commission new energy generation facilities with a total capacity of 26.5 gigawatts over the next 10 years.
Most electricity generation today comes from coal-fired power plants, which account for 66% of total energy production. The renewable energy sector is growing. The number of plants stands at 148, which corresponds to about 6%.
“Two sites have already been identified in Kazakhstan that are absolutely suitable for the construction of nuclear power plants. These are the Balkhash and Kurchatov sites. These are unique sites and they can be used,” said Satkaliyev.
Kazakhstan, the world’s largest uranium producer and second largest country in terms of uranium reserves, is preparing to hold a national referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant. On August 27, the government approved a draft resolution for a referendum on the issue, which is to be held in the fall.
Previously, the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KazISS) published the Results The survey shows that a narrow majority of respondents (53.1%) support the construction of a nuclear power plant in the hope that this will help solve the electricity shortage by 2030.
Four potential suppliers for the Kazakh nuclear power plant
Four international nuclear energy companies, potential suppliers for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, presented their nuclear technologies, achievements and current projects at the exhibition. These companies include China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), Korea Water and Nuclear Power Corporation (KHNP), Électricité de France (EDF) and the Russian company Rosatom.
“So far, four suppliers have passed the pre-qualification stage. The main requirement is, of course, reactor safety. It is a 3P+ water reactor. (Other considerations) include the number of operating hours, operating experience abroad and electricity costs. Other criteria are factors related to the localization of domestic industry, the development of a domestic educational base, that is, the creation of institutes. It is also about technology transfer, including the construction of assemblies. Of course, many political factors are also taken into account. The final decisions will be made on the basis of a comprehensive assessment of all these factors,” Satkaliyev said.
Each company had its strengths in offering Kazakhstan the best nuclear power plant solutions.
“During the tour of the exhibition stands, companies presented their own technical solutions. For example, the Korea Water and Nuclear Power Corporation presented the project implementation cycle. When I asked them about their experience in localizing products abroad, they presented the Barakah project in the United Arab Emirates and their possible participation in the construction of a nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic. They say that they adapt their approach to the requirements of the host country. That is, up to 70% of the domestic share. This means that any construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan would also focus on the development of the domestic industry,” Satkaliyev said.
Safety systems were on display at the Rosatom stand, where unique technologies were presented that would allow the construction of a station that could withstand earthquakes up to nine points on the Richter scale.
The Chinese company’s stand impressed with its large-scale construction volumes, said Satkaliyev.
“The scale of construction work that Chinese suppliers are carrying out on nuclear power plant projects is truly impressive. 69 months from the start of construction to the commissioning of the first plant. They are achieving construction speeds that are unprecedented in the world,” he said.
“There was a very good discussion at the Electricity de France stand on the environmental impact and transparency of potential bidders,” added the minister.
Kazakhstan’s potential for fuel self-sufficiency
Minister Satkaliyev also stressed that Kazakhstan has significant nuclear energy capabilities.
The subsidiary Ulba Metallurgical Plant (UMP) of the state-owned nuclear company Kazatomprom owns 51 % of tThe Ulba TVS plant, a Kazakh-Chinese joint venture, produced Uranium fuel components for a nuclear power plant in China.
According to Satkaliyev, this gives Kazakhstan the technical capacity to produce nuclear fuel for its own power plant.
“It is of fundamental importance for us that the company gains experience. This is the most technologically complex and high-margin production in Kazakhstan, and we have gained experience. This means that for our future power plants, if the referendum in Kazakhstan approves the construction, we will have the opportunity to advance the transfer of production technologies and fuel production. This would also mean additional jobs, higher quality of energy security and energy independence,” Satkaliyev said.
In addition, Kazakhstan has developed its human capital to build local capacity for the construction and maintenance of a nuclear power plant.
“We have a solid (human capital) base. At the moment we are not talking about a shortage of personnel, in fact, there may even be healthy competition. If we take into account the need for about 2,000 specialists, the National Atomic Center alone has trained 5,000 highly qualified specialists, and about 250 students graduate annually with degrees in core specialties such as nuclear energy and nuclear technology. There are also related specialties such as thermal power and power engineering. These specialists can certainly apply their skills and knowledge in the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan,” Satkaliyev said.
