Kazakhstan chooses Russian "Rosatom" to build the country's first nuclear power plant.

The Kazakh Atomic Energy Agency announced on Saturday, June 14th, the selection of the Russian company "Rosatom" to lead an international alliance to build the country's first nuclear power plant, following competition from offers from France, China, and South Korea.

This decision comes months after a referendum held on October 6, 2024, where the majority supported the nuclear plant construction project, as part of a government plan to reduce reliance on environmentally polluting coal.

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated days before the vote: "To not remain on the sidelines of global progress, we must utilize our competitive advantages," referring to Kazakhstan's status as the world's largest uranium producer.

However, the project faces wide criticism from some citizens due to concerns about environmental risks and the Soviet legacy associated with nuclear experiments in the country, in addition to worries about the Russian role in the project.

Kazakhstan, with a population of around 20 million, mainly relies on coal power plants for electricity generation, along with some hydroelectric stations and emerging renewable energy sources. It also imports part of its electricity needs, especially from Russia, due to the inadequacy of old facilities to meet local demand.

The government affirmed that the nuclear plant will be a reliable energy source complementing renewable sources like solar and wind, considering the nuclear option logical due to the abundance of uranium in the country.