Journalists noted that earlier the head of the Ministry of Energy reported that as part of a comprehensive plan, at least three nuclear power plants are needed in Kazakhstan, and it is essential to immediately determine the sites for their construction. In this regard, they inquired about the locations being considered by the agency.
“A special commission has been established, and preliminary work has been conducted. In general, depending on the type of technology, nuclear power plants can be installed almost anywhere, given that there are no longer such requirements for the presence of a large open water body. There is the possibility of using dry cooling. Therefore, we will base our decisions on the topology of the electrical grid, the load centers, and the safety of placing a particular energy facility. So, I believe we will provide proposals there in the near future,” said Almasadam Satkaliev.
He was asked whether Stepnogorsk or Karaganda is being considered in this context.
“In principle, any site there can be used; previously, the state commission identified two sites. One is Balkhash, where it is possible to accommodate up to six blocks. There is the site in Kurchatov, and other promising locations. We will study all of them. We will also consider Aktau. Perhaps there are some growth centers; we will take a look. This depends on the technologies. We will certainly examine both Eastern and Western Kazakhstan,” concluded the head of the Ministry of Energy.