Overview

• Rosatom was named by Kazakhstan’s atomic energy agency to lead construction of the country’s first nuclear plant near Ulken on the shores of Lake Balkhash.
• The announcement arrives days before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Kazakhstan for a China–Central Asia summit.
• Kazakh authorities are evaluating Russian public financing proposals from Rosatom to support the multi-billion-dollar project.
• Voters approved the plant’s construction in a 2024 referendum and President Tokayev views it as a way to balance ties with global powers.
• Rosatom is already active in regional nuclear initiatives in Uzbekistan and has pitched a similar project to Kyrgyzstan.