Russia, Which Won Kazakhstan Nuclear Plant Deal, Says It Does Not Oppose Korean Participation

[Financial News] A Russian company that beat Korea in a past bid to build Kazakhstan's Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant said it would not block Korean firms from taking part in the construction process.
According to Russian media outlets, including Sputnik, Alexey Likhachev, CEO of State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, met reporters on the 27th and referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Kazakhstan. Putin is scheduled to make a state visit to Kazakhstan on the 27th and 28th, his second during his term, and will attend events held there by the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). In particular, Putin is set to meet Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the 27th and formally sign an agreement on the construction of the Balkhash plant.
Likhachev said, "Final coordination is under way on two intergovernmental agreements." He added, "They include both the plant and project agreement, as well as the financing agreement. I am very much looking forward to signing these documents tomorrow."
He said he understood that Kazakhstan was discussing participation in nuclear plant construction with potential partners such as Korea, China and France, and added that he did not oppose their involvement. He also addressed the project timeline, saying, "We expect to begin preparations for construction and installation next year," and "At the same time, work will begin on technical documents for obtaining permits."
Kazakhstan held a referendum in October 2024 on building its first nuclear power plant and conducted a construction bid in February last year. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) had already been promoting the project by contacting local officials since 2019. Rosatom, KHNP, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and Électricité de France (EDF) remained as the final candidates in last year's bid. In June last year, the Kazakh government said Rosatom and CNNC would each form a consortium to build the plant. The Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant, which will consist of two reactors, will be built in Ulken, a village near Lake Balkhash, about 400 kilometers north of Almaty, Kazakhstan's former capital.
Rosatom's Likhachev said of the construction schedule, "We expect to begin preparations for construction and installation next year," and "At the same time, work will begin on technical documents for obtaining permits." He said the company plans to take all possible measures to bring the plant online in the mid-2030s. Likhachev explained that the plant will begin operations in stages, with an eight- to 10-month gap between the start-up of Unit 1 and Unit 2.
Meanwhile, Likhachev said the Kazakh government had not yet made an official decision on building a second nuclear power plant in the country. He stressed, "As soon as we receive the relevant information, we will begin working-level negotiations."
pjw@fnnews.com Park Jong-won Reporter