2024 Kazakh nuclear power referendum

A referendum on the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan is planned to take place in the autumn of 2024. This was revealed in June 2024 by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The exact date of the referendum is said to be decided in the future by the Government.

If the referendum ends up being supported by the majority of voters, the nuclear power plant will be built near the Balkhash Lake, in the Ülken village of the Jambyl District, Almaty Region. Described by Tokayev as a necessary action to install a stable electricity source in the country, the idea of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan is seen as a possibly dangerous initiative by local ecologists and was protested against by the local population. The ecologists' concern comes from the already unstable water levels in the Balkhash.

Background
The idea of holding a referendum was first raised in 2019 by President Tokayev. This initiative aimed to reduce fossil fuel reliance, curb greenhouse gas emissions, and bolster national electricity generation in light of frequent power outages in recent years. The idea emerged amidst public controversy stemming from Kazakhstan's history of environmental and public health issues due to Soviet nuclear weapon testing at the Semipalatinsk Test Site, as well as concerns about Russia's potential involvement in nuclear power development. The Kazakh government engaged in public deliberations regarding the proposed construction of the Ülken Nuclear Power Plant, emphasizing careful consideration over haste in making their decision.

In September 2023, it was officially decided that the referendum would be held, this was said by Tokayev while responding to the nation's need to develop nuclear power using the world's largest uranium production.

In 27 June 2024, at a speech during an awarding ceremony, President Tokayev announced, that the referendum will take place in the autumn of 2024. In the building of the Senate, Deputy Minister of Energy Sūñğat Esimhanov talked about the questions that will be asked on the referendum. According to him, the people will be asked only one thing, whether they support or are against the building of a nuclear power plant. However he also noted that this was "his opinion" and the details will be worked out by the Government.

The people that would help with the construction are yet undecided. It is speculated, however, that Russian, South Korean or French companies would be in charge, the companies CNNC (China), Rosatom, KHNP and the EDF were specifically mentioned to be candidates.