Kazakhstan Sets 2035 Target for Two Nuclear Plants, One with Russia and One with China

Kazakhstan's energy minister said the first nuclear plant near Lake Balkhash will be built with Russia's Rosatom consortium, while the second Moyynkum plant is being developed with China's CNNC, both targeted for completion by 2035. The Balkhash plant will use two VVER-1200 III+ reactors with 2.4 GWe capacity, with costs rising from $14-15 billion to about $16.4 billion. Details for the Moyynkum plant remain under discussion, and a third 300-600 MW plant is under consideration in eastern or western Kazakhstan.