Kazakhstan Votes on Nuclear Power Plant

ULKEN, Almaty region, Kazakhstan (Reuters) – Kazakhstan voted in a referendum on Sunday regarding the construction of its first nuclear power plant. An exit poll indicated that voters supported the initiative, which was promoted by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's cabinet as a means to phase out polluting coal plants.

The proposal has received public criticism due to concerns about nuclear-related hazards, the legacy of Soviet nuclear testing, and fears regarding potential Russian involvement.

According to the Central Election Commission, almost 64% of registered voters cast their ballots by 8 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) when polling stations closed, validating the vote.

Preliminary results will be announced on Monday, though an exit poll of around 284,000 voters showed that 69.8% supported the plan, according to local pollster SOCIS-A.

Popular blogger Vadim Boreiko observed, "I have come to the conclusion that the decision to build the nuclear power plant… has already been made in Tokayev's office, and the people of Kazakhstan are being invited to polling stations as 'notaries' to authenticate this decision with their votes."

In the village of Ulken, near Lake Balkhash, where the cabinet intends to build the plant, some residents hoped for job opportunities, while others worried about the potential negative effects on lake water quality.

Dametken Shulgeyeva, a long-time local, stated, "I support the power plant. This is our future."

Despite its significant natural gas reserves, Kazakhstan, a nation of 20 million, primarily relies on coal-powered plants for electricity, alongside some hydroelectric plants and a burgeoning renewable energy sector.

Kazakhstan also imports electricity, mainly from Russia, as its aging facilities struggle to meet domestic demand. Coal is considered the most polluting energy source.

The government argues that a reliable energy supply must complement renewable sources like solar and wind power, and highlights that as one of the world's largest uranium producers, nuclear power presents a logical option.

President Tokayev remarked before the vote, "In order not to remain on the sidelines of global progress, we must use our competitive advantages."

However, the former Soviet republic does not enrich uranium sufficiently for use as fuel. Officials estimate that the nuclear power plant's construction will cost between $10 billion and $12 billion, anticipating that contractors will secure the necessary financing.

Critics claim that this goal could also be achieved with gas-powered plants, which, though still fossil fuels, are much less polluting than coal and pose lower risks.

Kazakhstan was part of the Soviet Union during the 1986 Chornobyl nuclear disaster, and many Kazakhs participated in the cleanup operation, which led to lasting health issues. The country was also the site of numerous Soviet nuclear weapon tests, resulting in significant uninhabitable land and widespread distrust of nuclear activities.

While voting in the capital, Astana, Tokayev stated he had not identified a specific country or company as a potential contractor. "My personal vision on this matter is that an international consortium would need to work in Kazakhstan made up of global companies that possess the most advanced technologies," he asserted.