Uranium and Nuclear Power in Kazakhstan ()

Key Chapter Title List

1. Uranium Resources and Production Overview
2. Current Status of the Power Sector
3. Energy Policy Framework
4. International Cooperation Landscape
5. Uranium Mining Projects and Equity Structure
6. Uranium Trade and Transportation Routes
7. Uranium Mining Technology and Environmental Management
8. Front-End Fuel Cycle Industry
9. IAEA Low Enriched Uranium Bank
10. Nuclear Power Development History and Future Plans
11. Radioactive Waste Management
12. Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Regulatory System

Document Introduction

As a core country in global uranium resource reserves (accounting for 12% of the world's total) and production, Kazakhstan has consistently ranked first in global uranium production since 2009, with its output accounting for 43% of the global total in 2022. Its uranium industry and nuclear power development strategy have a critical impact on global energy security and the nuclear supply chain. This report, based on authoritative data from the International Energy Agency, the World Bank, and Kazakhstan's national atomic energy company (Kazatomprom), systematically analyzes the development status, policy orientation, and international cooperation network of the country's uranium industry and nuclear power sector.

The report first outlines the historical context and current status of Kazakhstan's uranium production, including production fluctuations from 2001 to 2023, the equity structure of 13 uranium mining projects (including 3 wholly-owned projects and 10 Sino-foreign joint ventures), as well as the application and advantages of the low-impact In-Situ Leaching (ISL) mining technology. Simultaneously, it details the country's power system generation mix (coal 59%, natural gas 27%), grid layout, and import-export balance, providing a foundation for understanding the practical basis for nuclear power development.

At the energy policy level, the report provides an in-depth interpretation of the "Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy" and related green economy transition decrees, focusing on the target settings of 1.5 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2030 and 2.0 GW by 2050, as well as the low-carbon development path aiming for 50% renewable and alternative energy by 2050. The international cooperation section comprehensively covers joint ventures and technical cooperation between Kazakhstan and countries such as Russia, China, Japan, and Canada in areas like uranium mining, fuel manufacturing, and nuclear power plant construction, revealing its core strategy of "transitioning from raw material supply to high value-added fuel exports."

The report also focuses on key issues such as uranium trade and transportation (including alternative routes like the Caspian International Transport Route), the front-end fuel cycle industry (e.g., fuel pellet and assembly production at the Ulba Metallurgical Plant), and the operation of the IAEA Low Enriched Uranium Bank. It provides detailed elaboration on the site selection controversy for Kazakhstan's new nuclear power plant, supplier assessments, and the planned 2024 national referendum. Furthermore, regarding safety and regulatory issues such as radioactive waste management, nuclear facility decommissioning, and compliance with non-proliferation mechanisms, the report conducts objective analysis based on official data and international cooperation practices.

This report provides a comprehensive and precise authoritative reference on Kazakhstan's uranium and nuclear power sector for defense researchers, energy policy analysts, geopolitical scholars, and nuclear industry practitioners. Its data coverage extends to August 2024, and its core conclusions and policy recommendations hold significant value for understanding the global nuclear supply chain landscape and Central Asian energy security.