Russia’s state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom, has been selected after a rigorous process by Kazakhstan’s Atomic Energy Agency to build the country’s first nuclear power plant.
Rosatom was selected as the preferred bidder with its VVER-1200 reactors, beating China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) with its HPR-1000, France’s EDF with its EPR1200, and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) with its APR-1000/APR-1400.
In a statement announcing the result, Kazakhstan’s Atomic Energy Agency said: “The listed companies submitted a comprehensive package of materials consisting of technical and commercial proposals for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan. These materials included the following information: estimated construction cost, project implementation deadlines, financing models, methods of localisation of equipment and construction works, recommendations for the development of personnel training and scientific and educational potential, opportunities for integration in the nuclear fuel cycle, and issues of social obligations.”
The assessment was carried out based on a methodology developed by the Atomic Energy Agency, Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants LLP, and French engineering company Assystem. The evaluation considered the areas highlighted in the statement’s list of materials, as well as nuclear power plant safety and international experience. The analysis was then submitted to the Interdepartmental Commission on the Development of the Atomic Industry.
“It was determined that the most optimal and effective proposals for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan came from the Russian company Rosatom,” with second place taken by CNNC and third place by EDF and KHNP, the agency statement said. “Thus, Rosatom was identified as the leader of the international consortium for the project to build the first nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan.”
Discussions are now taking place on state export funding from the Russian Federation based on the proposals submitted by Rosatom.
In a separate statement, Rosatom’s Director General Alexei Likhachev said: “We welcome Kazakhstan’s decision to begin implementing the nuclear power plant construction project.
VVER-1200 generation 3+ reactors combine time-tested engineering solutions with the latest active and passive protection systems developed in strict compliance with international safety standards.
VVER-1200 reactors are already operating in Russia and abroad – four units in Russia and two units in Belarus, and this technology has also been chosen by our partners in Hungary, Egypt, Turkey, Bangladesh, and China. There is still a lot of work ahead, and we sincerely count on the help and support of the leadership of Russia and Kazakhstan.”
The Atomic Energy Agency of Kazakhstan stated that it would “continue to work with foreign partners to form an effective international consortium to build the country’s first nuclear power plant.”
Agency chairman Almasadam Satkaliyev added: “All prequalified participants included in the shortlist have their own unique technologies. It is planned to sign a separate agreement with the People’s Republic of China on cooperation in the nuclear sector. We want to use Chinese technologies to build another nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan… In general, there are not many countries in the world that can implement a full nuclear cycle on their own. China has the necessary technologies and an industrial and production base. Therefore, our next main priority is cooperation with China.”
“We have agreements at the highest level. We are interested in adopting Chinese experience, and we understand that they can carry out construction quickly and qualitatively. We have already started work in this direction.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
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