Kazakhstanis suggest over 20,000 names for the country’s first nuclear power plant

Tengrinews.kz – Over 20,000 suggestions have been submitted for the name of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant, ranging from geographical references like "Balhash" and "Ulken" to the names of prominent scientists and energy-related terms.
Almasadam Satkaliev, head of the Atomic Energy Agency, shared the results of the public competition, noting the overwhelming interest from Kazakh citizens.

“There have been over 20,000 submissions so far. There’s been a great deal of interest in the competition among our people. We’ve conducted a preliminary analysis, and the suggestions mainly fall into three categories,” Satkaliev explained during a briefing at the Mazhilis (lower house of Parliament).

The first category includes names based on geographical locations. Suggestions include "Balhash", "Iliyskaya", "Ulken" (after the village where the plant is planned to be built), and "Moinkum Nuclear Power Plant".
The second category features names of well-known figures, such as academician Shafik Chokin, poet and educator Abai Kunanbayev, and scientist Kanysh Satpaev.
The third category focuses on technical and energy-related terms, with suggestions like "Zharik" (meaning "Light"), "Kuat" (meaning "Power"), "Beybit Atom" (meaning "Peaceful Atom"), "Energy", and others.
Satkaliev added that a commission continues to evaluate the names, which includes experts from various fields, such as ethnographers, historians, uranium industry specialists, bloggers, and public opinion leaders.

"We will discuss the names after collecting all the proposals from Kazakh citizens," he said.

Earlier, Satkaliev announced plans to build two nuclear power plants in the Almaty region and another on the Caspian Sea coast.
In August, President Tokayev proposed holding a competition to name the nuclear power plants, and the Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that they would accept public suggestions.
In early September, Satkaliev signed an order to establish a commission for the nationwide competition to choose the best name for the first nuclear power plant, which will be located in the Zhambyl region of Almaty. The agency also revealed that a prize will be awarded to the winners of the naming contest.