Kazakhstan Signed Nuclear Construction Contract
The nation has secured an agreement with Rosatom to advance its nuclear energy expansion plans near Lake Balkhash.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Nuclear
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Kazakhstan has moved to the practical stage of its nuclear development program by signing an engineering, procurement, and construction contract with the Russian state corporation Rosatom. The planned facility will be situated in Ulken, in the Almaty region.
Why it matters
The project represents a strategic move by Kazakhstan to modernize its national energy infrastructure and expand its power generation capacity. This industrial shift comes as the nation seeks to diversify its energy mix to support domestic development.
Over 90 percent of necessary field engineering surveys for the project were finished by May 2026. These assessments were conducted to validate the site at Ulken, near Lake Balkhash, for large-scale nuclear power infrastructure.
The players
Rosatom
The Russian state nuclear energy corporation, which provides reactor technology and construction services for global nuclear projects.
Timur Zhantikin
A high-ranking Kazakh official involved in nuclear energy policy and international cooperation.
Lord John Alderdice
A British politician who engaged in official discussions regarding nuclear cooperation.
The details
The project transitioned into the practical development phase following the signing of an intergovernmental agreement between Kazakhstan and Russia on May 28, 2026. The Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant relies on these completed site-specific engineering surveys to guide the final layout and construction methodology for the facility. Further bilateral cooperation for peaceful nuclear energy use was discussed between Kazakh and UK officials in September 2026.
Timeline
August 8, 2025: Preliminary engineering survey work began for the power plant project.
May 2026: 90 percent of field engineering surveys were completed.
May 28, 2026: An intergovernmental agreement was signed between Kazakhstan and Russia.
September 2026: The construction contract with Rosatom was signed.
September 22, 2026: Kazakh and UK officials held a meeting regarding nuclear energy cooperation.
The Tech Race
This project aligns with the global shift toward centralized nuclear power to meet growing grid stability requirements. The development follows the standard international path for new entrant nuclear states seeking to adopt proven reactor designs.
The transition to the construction phase marks a critical shift for the regional power grid, though full operational timelines remain unannounced. Future updates will focus on the deployment of specific reactor units once the site infrastructure reaches final configuration.
The takeaway
Kazakhstan has committed to a large-scale infrastructure investment to secure its long-term power generation independence. Interested parties should watch for the official publication of project construction milestones and potential site-readiness certifications from regulatory bodies.
Further reading
For more information on current developments in the sector, visit our Nuclear section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Trend.
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