Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Kazakhstan will build a nuclear power plant in one of the energy-deficient regions, Azerbaijan's Trend news agency quoted Kazakh National Atomic Company Kazatomprom spokesperson Kristina Podshivalova as saying.

Earlier Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev ordered the government to select a location for building such a plant in the country.

"The president ordered to make an energy balance map of the country to determine which regions are energy-deficient and then the government will make a decision on an NPP location," Podshivalova said.

Earlier Kazatomprom said an extended board meeting of the Nuclear Society of Kazakhstan -- an independent organization aimed at promoting awareness about peaceful use of nuclear power -- discussed in Astana the construction of a nuclear power plant.

According to Podshivalova, the most power-deficient are the southern regions of Kazakhstan.

Moreover, the city of Aktau was considered as a possible site for a future NPP because this region has extensive experience in the field of nuclear energy, Podshivalova said. Aktau was once the site of a nuclear power station.

According to Podshivalova, the main problem facing Aktau is the lack of fresh water and an NPP could solve this problem. The former NPP--BN-350 breeder reactor-- was located in this region and operated from 1972 to 1999, and was initially aimed at generating electricity and water desalination, she said.

"Currently, water is desalinated by using traditional sources in the region. As a result, its price is higher. But the region's residents and environmentalists say it is safer," Podshivalova said, but added that modern technologies allow ensuring sufficient safety of nuclear reactors.

Kazakhstan has 15 percent of the world's uranium resources. According to Kazatomprom's report published in January, Kazakhstan increased uranium production from 19,450 tons in 2011 to 20,900 tons in 2012. Thus, Kazakhstan accounted for 37 percent of the world's uranium production and remained the world's leading uranium producer.

Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan's national operator, is among the leading uranium mining companies. The company is engaged in the export of uranium and its compounds, rare metals, fuel for nuclear power plants, special equipment, technologies and dual-use materials. Its main activities are geological exploration, uranium production, the initiation of the nuclear fuel cycle, the production of construction materials, energy, social welfare, etc. Kazatomprom is also an active contributor to the development of renewable energy in Kazakhstan.