How international consortium for construction of NPP in Kazakhstan might operate
The Central Referendum Commission announced the final results of the vote, according to which more than 71% of Kazakh citizens voted in favor of constructing a nuclear power plant (NPP) in our country. Earlier, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that an international consortium should be involved in the construction of a NPP in Kazakhstan, as it would bring together leading global companies with advanced technologies. Timur Zhantikin, General Director of LLP “Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants” shared his opinion on the advantages of an international consortium in building a NPP during an interview with a Kazinform News Agency correspondent.
Timur Zhantikin, the General Director of LLP “Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants” notes that currently, almost all NPP projects around the world are implemented in cooperation with several companies. Typically, the project is led by a company responsible for developing the nuclear island (the nuclear reactor), which attracts other companies to supply energy equipment, electronics, electrical components, and more. The idea is that the leading construction company brings in other firms to work together on the nuclear power plant project. The same approach will be applied in the Kazakh project.
“Most such projects are usually carried out by one company, which acts as the main contractor. Then other companies are brought in for various tasks. For example, the “Akkuyu” NPP, this is currently under construction on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. There, the corporation “Rosatom” is responsible for the nuclear reactor (the nuclear island) and all the surrounding equipment. French companies were involved in supplying electrical equipment - turbines, generators, and the control electronics were provided by the German company Siemens AG. Additionally, other components were purchased from various companies. All of this is integrated under the leadership of the main construction company for the Turkish NPP - “Akkuyu Nuclear”, explained Timur Zhantikin.
There are many examples in nuclear energy of projects utilizing international consortia, except for domestic projects in some countries (USA, China). According to the expert, Kazakh citizens are well aware of the “Akkuyu” NPP project in Türkiye. Similarly, power plants are being built in Egypt, Bangladesh, India, and Hungary. Additionally, over 1,000 Kazakh workers are currently employed in the construction of the Turkish “Akkuyu” NPP.
Timur Zhantikin added that to combine efforts, Kazakhstan should attract the best companies that already have experience in building NPPs.
“These four companies that we have selected - Korean, Chinese, Russian, and French - all have international experience in consortia. Therefore, the best equipment suppliers will be involved in the construction of the NPP in Kazakhstan,” he added.
The speaker also emphasized the importance of localizing the project in Kazakhstan. This means that the majority of the work during the construction of the NPP will be carried out by Kazakh companies.
“During the construction of the NPP, domestic companies that have undergone special certification will be involved. It is also possible that Kazakh equipment will be used, for which an analysis of industrial production will be conducted to identify products that can be utilized in the nuclear plant. Typically, localization reaches up to 70% during NPP construction. For example, many local companies were involved in the construction of the Belarusian NPP. Today, they are already working in other countries as part of international consortia,” emphasized the General Director of LLP “Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants”.
According to the expert, involving domestic companies in the construction of the NPP is important for gaining local experience and maintaining the country’s economy.
On October 6, 2024, a referendum was held in Kazakhstan on the construction of a nuclear power plant. Citizens of Kazakhstan decided whether the country needs nuclear energy. Details on how this significant day in the country’s history unfolded can be found in a report by Kazinform News Agency’s correspondent.
