On October 6, 2024, Kazakhstan held a referendum in which approximately 70% of voters approved the construction of the country's first nuclear power plant, marking a significant development for both Kazakhstan and Central Asia. The voter turnout was reported at around 64%.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who participated in the referendum, described the nuclear power plant project as 'the largest project in the history of independent Kazakhstan.' He advocated for the plant to be constructed by a consortium of global companies utilizing the most advanced technologies. Companies from France, Russia, China, and South Korea are vying for the contract.
Kazakhstan, the world's largest uranium producer, faces a severe electricity shortage, and the nuclear power plant is seen as a potential solution. However, environmentalists, NGOs, and civil activists have raised concerns about the project's implications, particularly regarding the long-term costs of decommissioning the plant and the risks associated with its location near the unstable Balkhash Lake. They warn that a nuclear accident could lead to significant radioactive contamination affecting densely populated areas of the country.