NPP construction to be accelerated in Kazakhstan

Tengrinews.kz - Minister of Energy Almassadam Satkaliyev answered a question about the construction timeframe for NPP (nuclear power plant) in Kazakhstan.
According to the minister, the construction of the first unit alone may take up to 12 years.

"Based on international experience in NPP construction, the design of the station takes more than 2-3 years, then from the moment the first concrete is poured, construction takes about 8-10 years. In general, the construction of the first unit takes about 10-12 years - this is in the absence of any significant risks," Satkaliyev said at a briefing at the Ministry of Energy.

The minister did not rule out the possibility of accelerating the NPP construction process.

"But we understand that technologies do not stand still: there is both construction experience and construction replication. We will raise questions with official vendors about the possibility of acceleration, so that within 8 years we will be able to receive the first complex (NPP - ed.)," the head of the Ministry of Energy added.

Earlier, during an expanded government meeting, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov announced that agreements for the construction of Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant would be finalized soon.
In addition, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has instructed the government to accelerate the construction of a nuclear power plant in the country and to find a location for the second one.
Read also: Will Kazakhstan hold referendum on second NPP construction?