Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Tackle Energy Deficits with Nuclear Power Plants

Kazakhstan officially selected the Zhambyl district in the Almaty region for its first nuclear power plant (NPP) on February 25. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the need for multiple NPPs to meet the country’s energy needs, acknowledging the urgency of the situation, especially given the increasing electricity deficit.

Kazakhstan’s electricity consumption in 2024 was 120.6 bn kWh, while its production stood at 118.3 bn kWh, resulting in a deficit of 2.4 bn kWh. By 2025, the deficit is expected to widen to 3.3 bn kWh. The southern region, in particular, is facing a severe shortage, consuming 27.7 bn kWh but only producing 15.3 bn kWh.

The government is considering multiple international companies for the project, including China’s CNNC, Russia’s Rosatom, South Korea’s KHNP, and France’s EDF. Kazakhstan’s multi-vector foreign policy has been reflected in its decision to invite foreign cooperation in nuclear energy development.

Uzbekistan is also advancing in the field of nuclear energy. The country plans to build its first NPP in the Jizzakh region, located approximately 1,000 km from Kazakhstan’s proposed site. In May 2024, Uzatom signed a contract with Russia’s Atomstroyexport for the construction of a 330 MW low-capacity nuclear plant. The project will feature six 55 MW reactors.

In February 2025, Uzbekistan announced the creation of an international consortium to further its NPP development. This consortium will combine Russian nuclear technology with software and hardware from China, Europe, and the U.S. The U.S. has also expressed interest in Uzbekistan’s nuclear sector, with discussions about investment opportunities in civilian nuclear energy technologies.

Both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan face significant challenges regarding the financing, contractor selection, and construction timelines for their respective NPPs.