Kazakhstan votes on whether to build first nuclear plant

ALMATY - Kazakhstan began voting in a referendum on Oct 6 on whether to build its first nuclear power plant, an idea promoted by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s government as the Central Asian nation seeks to phase out polluting coal plants.

The plan has faced public criticism on concern over any related hazards, the Soviet nuclear testing legacy, and fears that Russia will be involved in the project.

Popular blogger Vadim Boreiko wrote: “I have come to the conclusion that the decision to build the nuclear power plant, and to build it with (Russian state nuclear firm) Rosatom, has already been made in (Mr Tokayev’s office) and the people of Kazakhstan are being invited to polling stations as ‘notaries’ to authenticate this decision with their votes.”

In the village of Ulken on the shores of Lake Balkhash, which the Cabinet has designated as the site for the plant, some locals hope the project will bring jobs while others expressed concern about the impact on the lake’s water quality.

“I support the power plant,” said resident Dametken Shulgeyeva, who has lived in the village of 1,200 people for more than 20 years. “This is our future.”

Despite its sizeable natural gas reserves, the Central Asian nation of 20 million people relies mostly on coal-powered plants for its electricity needs, supplemented by some hydroelectric plants and the growing renewable energy sector.

Kazakhstan already imports electricity, mostly from Russia, as its facilities, many of which are old, struggle to meet domestic demand. Coal is generally regarded as the most polluting energy source.

Soviet legacy

The government says a reliable energy supply is needed to supplement renewable sources such as solar and wind power, and since Kazakhstan is one of the world’s biggest uranium producers, nuclear power is a logical choice.

“In order not to remain on the sidelines of global progress, we must use our competitive advantages,” Mr Tokayev said ahead of the vote.

The former Soviet republic, however, does not enrich uranium to the point where it can be used as fuel. The Cabinet estimates that a nuclear power plant would cost US$10 billion (S$13 billion) to US$12 billion to build.

Critics say the same goal can be achieved with gas-powered plants, which, while also using a fossil fuel, are much less polluting than coal plants and come with less risk.

Kazakhstan was part of the Soviet Union in 1986 when the Chernobyl nuclear disaster occurred, and tens of thousands of Kazakhs took part in the subsequent clean-up operation that left many with lifetime health issues.

The country was also the site of hundreds of Soviet nuclear weapon tests which have made large swathes of land uninhabitable, led to disease among people in nearby areas, and have made many people distrustful of anything nuclear.

The referendum will be considered valid if more than 50 per cent of registered voters cast their ballots.

Local media outlet Kazinform reported that by 6pm (9pm Singapore time), two hours before polling was expected to end, 61.56 per cent of those eligible to vote had cast their ballots.

Mr Tokayev, who publicly cast his vote in the capital Astana, told reporters he had no single country or company in mind as a potential contractor.

“My personal vision on this matter is that an international consortium would need to work in Kazakhstan, made up of global companies that possess the most advanced technologies,” he said. REUTERS