Construction of Kazakhstan's Balkhash nuclear plant planned to start in 2027

Construction work at the Balkhash nuclear power plant site in Kazakhstan is planned to begin in 2027. The chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency, Almasadam Satkaliyev, announced this at a session of the Kurultai, and said a construction area has been identified for the second plant, Moinkum.

According to Satkaliyev, engineering survey work is being completed at the Balkhash site. In May 2026, intergovernmental agreements on the main conditions and financing of the project were signed, and in June they were ratified. An EPC contract was concluded in September. For the Moinkum plant, Zhambyl district of Almaty region was chosen, and intergovernmental documents for the project are being prepared.

The agency is also working on a state strategic uranium reserve of no less than 150,000 tonnes, as part of a nuclear industry strategy to 2050. The localisation target for the first plant is 30%, covered by a plan of 22 measures. Building one plant with two units is expected to require more than 10,000 workers at peak construction, and about 1,800 people for operation.