Astana, Kazakhstan, 27 September 2024 – Leading experts in nuclear industry met today to discuss the increasing global demand for nuclear power from the economic perspective.
The New Nuclear Watch Institute (NNWI) Central Asia’s branch hosted an event in Rixos Hotel in Astana, Kazakhstan. This event focused on 'Global Demand for Nuclear Energy and the Role of Central Asia’ and brought together highly experienced representatives from the nuclear industry to discuss the increasing global demand for nuclear power from the economic perspective.
The aim of the event was to discuss the role of nuclear energy in ensuring Kazakhstan’s energy security, the economic benefits of expanding nuclear capacity, and the broader regional impact of nuclear energy development. The discussion featured representatives from the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP), Kazakhstan Association of Energy Supply Organizations, Rosatom Central Asia, members of the professional community, independent experts, and others.
None of the five Central Asian countries currently has nuclear power plant, however, both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have long argued that their growing economies and the threat of climate change impacts necessitate the development of nuclear energy. As a result, local policy makers have been talking about building nuclear power plant and on 6 October a referendum on the construction of the nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan is planned to take place.
“By 2035, 26.5 GW of new generation capacity, will be introduced as part of energy mix plan”, Gulmira Mursalova, Deputy Director of the Department of Atomic Energy and Industry at the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan said.
Sergey Agafonov of the Kazakhstan Association of Energy Supply Organizations said that “nuclear power plants may become a driver of Kazakhstan’s energy future. It will pull both medium and small businesses along with it.”
Zhakyp Khairushev of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken" said that "building a nuclear power plant will give impetus to the development of entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan. Entrepreneurs are not interested in the political side of the issue, but only think about the economic benefits part. And they have a nose for a profitable industry."
NNWI believes that Central Asia's abundance of uranium makes it ripe for nuclear expansion. “Kazakhstan is, in general, an export country. The bulk of this is uranium exports. And the construction of a nuclear power plant will help produce its own fuel and even export it. In this sense, our country is very conveniently located.", said Aldiyar Toktarov of the Atomic Industry Development Association.
The event was organized by NNWI Central
Asia, an internationally focused and industry supported think-tank, focused on
the international development of nuclear energy as a means for governments to
safeguard their country’s long-term sustainable energy needs.
Contact information:
Veronika Racikova | +447534132492 | vr@newnuclearwatchinstitute.org
Web: www.newnuclearwatchinstitute.org
