Voters in Kazakhstan voted overwhelmingly in favor of constructing the nation's first nuclear power plant near Lake Balkhash in a nationwide constitutional referendum held on Sunday, official electoral authorities confirmed on Monday.
The Central Referendum Commission announced preliminary certification showing that 71.12 percent of participating citizens cast ballots endorsing the strategic atomic energy initiative, with overall voter turnout reaching 63.66 percent.
Overwhelming Mandate for Nuclear Energy Independence
The referendum addressed intensifying electric power deficits across southern Kazakhstan, where rapid industrial expansion and urban growth have outpaced existing coal-fired generation and imported electricity from neighboring states.
Under the approved plan, a multi-gigawatt nuclear facility will be built near the lakeside village of Ulken in the Almaty region, positioning clean baseload electricity close to major population centers.
“This historic referendum demonstrates our citizens' strategic commitment to securing Kazakhstan's long-term energy sovereignty and achieving clean, reliable baseload power.” — Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Addressing Power Deficits and International Consortium Plans
President Tokayev emphasized that the nuclear project will not be awarded to a single foreign state; instead, the government intends to form an international vendor consortium combining advanced reactor technologies from global nuclear suppliers.
Despite public sensitivities stemming from Soviet-era nuclear testing at the Semipalatinsk polygon, the government assured strict environmental compliance and oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency throughout engineering and construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of voters supported the nuclear plant referendum in Kazakhstan?
Official results certified that 71.12 percent of participating voters supported the nuclear power plant proposal, with a national turnout of 63.66 percent.
Where will the new nuclear facility be built?
The plant will be constructed near the village of Ulken on the shores of Lake Balkhash in southeastern Kazakhstan.
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