The Comprehensive Plan for Developing Localisation in the Nuclear Industry for 2026–2030 was developed by Kazakhstan’s Atomic Energy Agency, jointly with Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants LLP, interested central government agencies, and the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Atameken”, the Atomic Energy Agency said. It was approved by the government on 14 May.
The document provides for the phased preparation of Kazakh enterprises for participation in nuclear projects, taking into account international safety and quality requirements. It covers four key areas: developing a regulatory framework, analysing the needs and potential of the domestic market, modernising and establishing production facilities, and the digitalisation of processes. According to press reports, the goal is to boost “local content” – which can currently meet about 20-22% of the nuclear industry’s demands – to around 30% by the time construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant begins, representing a market value of around USD4 billion to USD4.5 billion.
Kazakhstan is the world’s leading producer of uranium. In June last year, Russia’s Rosatom was selected as the leader of an international consortium to build Kazakhstan’s first planned nuclear power plant – to be called the Balkhash plant – in the village of Ulken, in Zhambyl district, on the shore of Lake Balkhash. The Atomic Energy Agency’s strategy for the Development of the Nuclear Industry in Kazakhstan sees at least three nuclear power plants operating by 2050, with a project for a fourth one possible.
“To ensure the quality, safety, and transparency of NPP project implementation, it is planned to introduce a registry of suppliers of goods, works, and services. Inclusion in the registry will be a mandatory requirement for participation in the project and will enable the pre-selection of qualified and reliable companies, support domestic producers, including small and medium-sized businesses, and minimise corruption risks through transparent procedures and regular monitoring of participants,” the Atomic Energy Agency said.
The implementation of the plan is expected to “help create a sustainable production ecosystem for the nuclear industry, attract investment in the industry, develop new products, and ensure the participation of Kazakhstani enterprises in major infrastructure projects across the country”, it added.
