Kazakhstan Holds Referendum on Building Its First Nuclear Power Plant
Kazakhstan held a referendum to decide whether to move forward with the construction of its first-ever nuclear power plant. The proposal, championed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's administration, is part of the country's strategy to gradually replace its coal power plants, which are known to heavily pollute the environment.
The plan, however, has met with public opposition due to concerns over potential risks, the Soviet Union's nuclear testing history, and suspicions regarding possible Russian involvement in the project.
According to the Central Election Commission, nearly 64% of eligible voters had cast their ballots by the time polling stations closed at 8 p.m. local time (1500 GMT), ensuring the validity of the referendum. The commission is expected to release preliminary results on Monday.
Popular blogger Vadim Boreiko voiced skepticism, suggesting the outcome was predetermined. "It seems the decision to construct the nuclear plant, and to partner with (Russian state nuclear company) Rosatom, has already been made in the presidential office. Voters are simply being asked to rubber-stamp this decision at the polls," he wrote.
In Ulken, a village on the banks of Lake Balkash in southeastern Kazakhstan, which has been earmarked as the potential site for the plant, local opinions were divided. Some residents hoped the project would create jobs, while others worried about its effects on the lake's water quality.
"I'm in favor of the nuclear plant," said Dametken Shulgeyeva, a longtime resident of the village with a population of 1,200. "It's about securing our future."
Despite having large natural gas reserves, Kazakhstan, a country of 20 million people, relies primarily on coal-fired power plants for its electricity, supplemented by hydroelectric plants and a growing number of renewable energy sources. However, Kazakhstan already imports a significant amount of its electricity, mainly from Russia, as many of its outdated facilities struggle to meet domestic demand. Coal, in particular, is recognized as one of the dirtiest energy sources.
A Soviet Legacy
The government argues that a stable energy source is required to complement renewable energy initiatives, such as solar and wind, and that nuclear power is a sensible choice since Kazakhstan is one of the world's top uranium producers.
"If we don't want to be left behind in global progress, we need to capitalize on our natural strengths," President Tokayev stated prior to the vote.
Although Kazakhstan is a major uranium producer, it currently lacks the ability to enrich uranium to the level needed for use as nuclear fuel. The government estimates that building the nuclear plant would cost between $10 billion and $12 billion and expects that contractors would arrange the necessary funding.
Opponents of the plan argue that the same energy goals could be met by investing in gas-powered plants, which are still fossil fuel-based but emit far less pollution than coal and come with fewer risks.
Kazakhstan's history with nuclear energy is deeply scarred by its Soviet past. In 1986, when the Chornobyl disaster occurred, tens of thousands of Kazakhs were involved in the cleanup, many of whom were left with serious health problems. Additionally, the country was a site for hundreds of Soviet nuclear weapons tests, which have rendered large areas of land uninhabitable and have caused widespread illness in nearby populations, leaving many Kazakhs distrustful of anything related to nuclear power.
After casting his vote in the capital, Astana, President Tokayev said he had no specific country or company in mind for the project.
"My personal view is that an international consortium, comprising global companies with the most advanced technologies, would be the best approach to executing this project in Kazakhstan," Tokayev remarked to reporters.
(Reporting by Mariya Gordeyeva and Olzhas Auyezov; Edited by Hugh Lawson and Barbara Lewis)