Kazakhstan is in talks with China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) over the terms and timeline for constructing the country’s second nuclear power plant, known as Moyinkum, with the project targeted for completion before 2035, Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said on November 4.
Speaking at a government press conference, Akkenzhenov said that construction of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant, Balkhash, would be led by a consortium headed by Russia’s Rosatom, while negotiations are underway with CNNC over the second plant, Moyinkum.
He noted that the two sides are currently discussing the project’s technical specifications, commercial terms and construction timeline. Kazakhstan expects both nuclear power plants to be completed before 2035.
Earlier, in his state-of-the-nation address on October 28, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for construction of the Balkhash nuclear power plant to begin in 2027. He also urged officials to explore the possibility of signing a comprehensive cooperation agreement and launching the Moyinkum project as soon as possible. Tokayev stressed that all negotiations must take Kazakhstan’s national interests fully into account.
On November 3, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin further disclosed that Kazakhstan plans to sign an intergovernmental agreement on the construction of the Moyinkum plant by the end of 2027. The country also plans to establish a strategic national uranium reserve to ensure a reliable fuel supply for its nuclear power plants.
Kazakhstan has been steadily advancing its nuclear energy ambitions in recent years to meet growing domestic electricity demand. In 2025, the country selected a consortium led by Russia’s Rosatom to build its first nuclear power plant and designated CNNC as its preferred partner for the second.
Under current plans, both nuclear power plants will be located near Lake Balkhash, with each facility equipped with two 1,200-megawatt reactors, bringing the total installed capacity of each plant to 2,400 megawatts.
Editor: Zhiyu Wang
