Astana (TDI): Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has framed the country’s move to build nuclear power plants as a remedy to a “historical absurdity”, despite being one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of uranium, Kazakhstan has so far relied on other sources for electricity generation.
A nationwide referendum in October 2024 showed strong public backing for nuclear energy, prompting Tokayev to announce plans for at least two nuclear power plants, with a third to follow.
In June 2025, Russian state company Rosatom was selected to construct the first plant near Ulken, on the western shore of Lake Balkhash, about 400 kilometers northwest of Almaty. Contracts for the second and third plants were later awarded to China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).
In an interview, Tokayev told Turkistan newspaper that the nuclear program serves a dual purpose, correcting the “historical absurdity” of exporting uranium without domestic use, and boosting Kazakhstan’s national prestige.
He stressed that reliable electricity is crucial for Kazakhstan’s shift toward a technologically advanced economy. Development of supercomputers, data centers, and automated industrial systems demands significant energy resources.
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“This is the reality of the new global technological order,” Tokayev said. The president has repeatedly argued that Kazakhstan must become a digital power, positioning digitalization as vital for national survival. Citing the growth of fintech companies and the expansion of digital government services, Tokayev expressed confidence that Kazakh society is ready for innovation.
“We have strong foundations, with progress in public service digitalization, fintech, and various sectors of the economy. The IT startup ecosystem is functioning effectively,” he noted. He added that achieving further progress requires stable, high-capacity, and environmentally friendly energy, needs best met by nuclear power.
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Tokayev also highlighted the role of skilled personnel in building the nuclear sector. He argued that nuclear development would cultivate a new technical intelligentsia, capable of influencing state policy.
“Qualified specialists are essential for modern energy development. The head of NVIDIA predicts that future multimillionaires will increasingly come from technical professions, the so-called ‘blue-collar workers,’” the president said.
