Kazakhstan, Nuclear energy referendum in October 2024

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree setting the date for a national referendum, that will take place on 6th October, 2024, regarding the construction of a nuclear power plant. As said by the Kazakh President, nuclear could be a good source of energy, reliable and environment-friendly, for the Kazakh economy, but the final decision must be made with the support of the people through a national referendum, so entire population can make the choice if agree or not about contructing a nuclear power plant in the country. Kazakhstan is the world’s biggest uranium producer. It does not use nuclear energy but it does have nuclear experience. There are three research reactors and a BN-350 sodium-cooled fast reactor operated near Aktau for 26 years. The government of Kazakhstan is currently engaged in the process of developing a nuclear power programme with the objective of reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels and CO₂ emissions.