IAEA helping Kazakhstan in selecting site for first nuclear plant

A team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) arrived in Kazakhstan on May 19 for a five-day mission focused on selecting a safe site for the country’s first nuclear power plant. The IAEA team will discuss with Kazakh authorities the criteria for evaluating potential locations for the plant, including seismology and meteorology. The Zhambyl District in the Almaty Region has already been identified as the preferred region, and the Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants (KNPP) – now under the jurisdiction of the new Nuclear Energy Agency – is looking for the exact location of the facility. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan also continues to work with the companies shortlisted as potential technology partners for the plant: CNNC (China), Rosatom (Russia), KHNP (South Korea), and EDF (France).
During their mission, IAEA experts will hold lectures and practical sessions on risk assessment and regulatory frameworks attended by leading specialists from Kazakhstan and other countries.