On October 7, 2024, Kazakhstan held a referendum in which approximately 70% of voters supported the construction of a nuclear power plant (NPP). The exit poll conducted by the SOCIS-A Institute revealed that 69.8% of participants favored the project, with a voter turnout of 63.87%. The highest participation was observed in the Kyzylorda region, where 82% of eligible voters cast their ballots, while only 25% participated in Almaty.
Kazakhstan, heavily reliant on coal-fired power plants, aims to transition to cleaner energy sources. The government views the construction of the NPP as a strategic move towards achieving energy independence and reducing carbon emissions, particularly as the country currently imports electricity from Russia.
The estimated cost of the NPP is around $12 billion. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the need to attract an international consortium for the project, which would include leading global companies. Kazakhstan has already received proposals from firms in Russia, China, France, and South Korea.
According to sociologists, the referendum results indicate a strong interest among citizens in advancing modern energy technologies. Support for the NPP could be a pivotal step towards energy security and sustainable development for Kazakhstan in the face of global climate change.