During the Powerexpo Almaty, the Strategic Session "Opportunities for the Development of Nuclear Energy in Kazakhstan" was held. As speakers during the session, T. Zhantikin, the CEO of Kazakhstan Atomic Power Plants LLP, E. Batyrbekov, the CEO of the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, I. Tazhibayeva, the Director of the Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear Technology Safety, M. Dulkairov, the CEO of the Union of Engineers-Energy Workers of the Republic of Kazakhstan LLP, and B. Ibrayev, the Chairman of the Advisory Council of NNWI Central Asia-Kazakhstan, participated.
T. Zhantikin discussed the public discussions conducted by the Ministry of Energy and the Kazakhstan Atomic Energy Stations in various regions of Kazakhstan regarding the construction of a nuclear power plant. Despite residents actively supporting the construction at the proposed site, it is necessary to gain the approval of the majority of the country's population for this project. Therefore, there was a need to familiarize all regions of the country with this project, convey the current energy supply situation to the population, and highlight the advantages of nuclear power plants compared to other forms of electricity generation.
B. Ibrayev revealed the national potential for the development of nuclear energy in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan's leadership in natural resource extraction, its share in the International Uranium Enrichment Center (IUEC), its share in the Uranium Enrichment Center (UEC), the presence of the IAEA Low Enriched Uranium Bank (LEU Bank), high competencies and capacities for the production of fuel assemblies certified for Rosatom, Westinghouse, EDF, and CGN/CNNC reactors, as well as a modern facility for manufacturing French-designed fuel assemblies for Chinese reactors and the presence of research reactors, indicate the country's readiness for nuclear energy. Two INIR missions by the IAEA confirmed that Kazakhstan has fully complied with recommendations regarding the coordination of the nuclear energy program, understanding of nuclear financing, radioactive waste management, and more.
E. Batyrbekov presented the achievements of the National Nuclear Center in the implementation of research on nuclear energy safety, including a wide range of experimental studies conducted in collaboration with the USA and Japan, many of which are pioneering and unique in terms of reactor core accident studies.
I. Tazhibayeva delivered a report on the ongoing work in Kazakhstan regarding the utilization of existing radioactive waste in the country, the technology for processing the coolant of the first loop of the BN-350 reactor, and the legislative efforts related to radioactive waste disposal.
M. Dulkairov highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of the existing electricity generation in Kazakhstan, explaining why the increasing energy deficit in the country can only be addressed through the construction of multiple nuclear power plant units.
B. Ibrayev revealed the national potential for the development of nuclear energy in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan's leadership in natural resource extraction, its share in the International Uranium Enrichment Center (IUEC), its share in the Uranium Enrichment Center (UEC), the presence of the IAEA Low Enriched Uranium Bank (LEU Bank), high competencies and capacities for the production of fuel assemblies certified for Rosatom, Westinghouse, EDF, and CGN/CNNC reactors, as well as a modern facility for manufacturing French-designed fuel assemblies for Chinese reactors and the presence of research reactors, indicate the country's readiness for nuclear energy. Two INIR missions by the IAEA confirmed that Kazakhstan has fully complied with recommendations regarding the coordination of the nuclear energy program, understanding of nuclear financing, radioactive waste management, and more.
The overall conclusion of the speakers is that only nuclear energy can ensure the energy security and competitiveness of Kazakhstan's economy.
