Tokayev calls for faster construction of two nuclear power plants in Kazakhstan

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for faster progress on two planned nuclear power plants, saying construction of the Balkhash plant could begin as early as next year. In his annual state-of-the-nation address on Wednesday, he also urged the signing of a comprehensive cooperation agreement to launch work on the Moyynkum plant as soon as possible. The remarks place nuclear power at the centre of Kazakhstan's energy strategy at a time when the country is seeking greater electricity security and a larger surplus.

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Tokayev said Kazakhstan should establish a long-term national uranium reserve, linking the proposal to wider efforts to strengthen the energy system. He argued that nuclear power would help create an electricity surplus, which he described as necessary for digitalising the economy and integrating artificial intelligence into public life. He also criticised what he described as inefficient energy management and corruption schemes in the sector.

According to his comments, winter shortages force Kazakhstan to buy electricity from neighbouring countries at high prices and sell it back at lower rates in summer. The president said such practices had persisted for decades and had also contributed to the deliberate obstruction of power plant construction and commissioning in several regions. His remarks suggest that the government sees energy reform as both an infrastructure issue and a governance problem.

The focus on two new plants also indicates a broader push to expand domestic generation capacity rather than rely on cross-border electricity trade. That shift could have implications for industrial planning, grid stability and long-term investment in the sector. The address also placed the nuclear push within a wider economic and strategic agenda.

Tokayev said the international environment had become increasingly unpredictable and argued that overland transport routes were becoming more important as maritime routes faced growing vulnerabilities. He said Kazakhstan should use this moment to become a leading logistics hub for Eurasia, linking energy policy with transport, digitalisation and trade ambitions. The speech suggests that nuclear development is being presented not only as an energy solution but also as part of a broader state modernisation programme.

Kazakhstan is one of the world's major uranium producers, which gives added weight to any move to expand nuclear power at home. A domestic nuclear build-out could affect how the country uses its uranium resources and how it positions itself in regional energy markets. It could also shape relations with foreign partners if the projects require outside technology, financing or construction support.

Tokayev's call for a long-term uranium reserve points to a desire for greater strategic control over fuel supply and energy planning. What remains unclear is the timetable for approvals, financing and any formal agreements needed to move the projects forward. Tokayev did not provide details on which companies or countries might be involved in the two plants, or on how the government plans to address the inefficiencies he criticised.

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