OMM Newsroom
Kazakhstan could begin construction of its first nuclear power plant in 2027, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said on Oct. 28. Central Asian countries are taking different approaches to nuclear and alternative energy as they expand their energy plans, AnewZ reported.
Tokayev called for accelerating the Balkhash nuclear project, continuing preparations to build a second plant in Moyynkum and considering the creation of a strategic uranium reserve. He also called for cooperation with foreign partners to bring nuclear technology, production expertise and specialist training to Kazakhstan, AZERTAC reported.
Kazakhstan plans to build three plants
According to Kazakhstan’s Atomic Energy Agency, a nuclear industry strategy approved in April 2026 calls for at least three nuclear power plants to be commissioned by 2050. The government is also exploring small modular reactors and further expansion of nuclear power to meet future electricity demand.
Russia’s Rosatom is leading the first project, near Lake Balkhash. Kazakhstan’s Atomic Energy Agency confirmed in September that a contract covering design, supply and construction had been signed with Rosatom subsidiary Atomstroyexport.
China could also become a key partner in expanding Kazakhstan’s nuclear program. The agency selected the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) as its preferred partner to lead the next nuclear project. Broader cooperation and construction agreements, however, have not yet been finalized.
The government’s 2026–2030 plan aims to increase the participation of domestic companies in nuclear construction and develop industrial suppliers. According to the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and the International Atomic Energy Agency, Kazakhstan ranks second in the world after Australia in proven uranium reserves. The strategic uranium reserve proposed by Tokayev could help secure fuel supplies for the planned reactors.
Kazakhstan has not announced a final investment budget for its overall nuclear program. Construction of a second plant is still under consideration, while the use of small modular reactor technology for a third plant is being explored.
Construction underway on Uzbekistan’s $9.5 billion project
While Kazakhstan is preparing for construction, a project in neighboring Uzbekistan has already moved into the active construction phase. Construction on the country’s first integrated nuclear energy project began on June 4, 2026, according to Uzbekistan’s Presidential Administration. The plant in Jizzakh region is planned to include large reactors and smaller power units in cooperation with Russia’s Rosatom.
Uzbekistan’s Atomic Energy Agency, Uzatom, estimates the project’s planned capacity at 2,110 megawatts and annual output at 16–17 billion kilowatt-hours. The agency estimates that the plant could meet 12–15% of the country’s electricity demand.
In September, the administration of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev put the project’s cost at $9.5 billion. By then, more than one million cubic meters of earth had been excavated, and 916 cubic meters of concrete had been poured for the foundation slab.
According to the Presidential Administration, initial estimates projected that locally made goods would meet 21% of the project’s needs, worth $1.9 billion. Mirziyoyev ordered that this share be raised to at least 30% and that local companies carry out 65% of construction and installation work.
The plans also include a 200-hectare industrial zone expected to host at least 100 joint ventures. Mirziyoyev reviewed foundation construction and infrastructure work supporting the project during a meeting with Rosatom’s chief executive on Oct. 23, the Presidential Administration said.
Kyrgyzstan prioritizes hydropower
Kyrgyzstan has not yet decided to build a nuclear power plant. In 2022, the Energy Ministry signed an agreement with Russia’s Rosatom to explore the feasibility of a small nuclear reactor. The initial assessment was completed in 2023, but no construction schedule or final investment budget has been announced.
For now, the country’s investment focus is on hydropower and renewable sources. According to Kyrgyzstan’s National Investment Agency, these sources are central to efforts to meet rising electricity demand, upgrade aging infrastructure and address supply shortages.
The Energy Ministry said 13 small hydropower plants with a total planned capacity of 81.03 megawatts are scheduled to begin operating in 2026. A further 48 small plants, with a combined capacity of 421.26 megawatts, are planned for construction between 2026 and 2030.
No nuclear plants under construction in Tajikistan or Turkmenistan
There are no commercial nuclear reactors under construction in Tajikistan or Turkmenistan, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s records. Official sources also do not list approved investment projects comparable to those in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Tajikistan has explored the possibility of using nuclear energy. The country’s nuclear-related issues also include radioactive waste left over from past uranium mining and processing. A national presentation posted on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s website discusses the waste.
Turkmenistan cooperates with the International Atomic Energy Agency on peaceful nuclear technologies and safety, but has not approved the construction of a nuclear power plant to generate electricity.
Russia and China involved in projects
Russia is leading Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant project and is involved in Uzbekistan’s $9.5 billion project. China could play a significant role in Kazakhstan’s future nuclear program.
The two countries’ financial plans differ: Uzbekistan has announced a $9.5 billion investment figure and targets for local procurement and construction. Kazakhstan is planning a long-term program covering several plants but has not yet determined its overall cost.
Uzbekistan is investing billions of dollars in nuclear construction in Central Asia, Kazakhstan is preparing a broader program, and other countries in the region are exploring their options or prioritizing alternative energy sources.
