Astana and Moscow continue talks on agreements for nuclear power plant construction - Kazakh Atomic Energy AgencyKazakhstan and Russia are continuing negotiations on draft intergovernmental agreements related to the construction of a nuclear power plant (NPP) in Kazakhstan, the country’s Atomic Energy Agency told Interfax-Kazakhstan."The Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation have prepared draft intergovernmental agreements outlining the basic principles of cooperation on the nuclear power plant construction project using Russian technologies, as well as on the provision of a state export credit. The draft agreements are currently under discussion and coordination with relevant government bodies in both countries,” the agency said in response to a inquiry.The agency also said that engineering and survey work has begun in the Zhambyl district of the Almaty region.“Geophysical surveys have been conducted, 60 wells have been drilled, around 1,000 soil and water samples have been collected for laboratory analysis, and hydrogeological studies have been completed,” it said.A year-long cycle of monitoring aerometeorological, hydrological and other environmental conditions at potential sites is currently underway, the agency added.Russian Ambassador Alexei Borodavkin previously said on the Russia 24 television channel that the project to build Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant had entered its final legal stage.The ambassador said that the sides were close to signing a package of organizational, legal and technical agreements, as well as documents on the provision of a Russian state credit for the project. All documents are in the final stage of approval.As previously reported, Kazakhstan plans to build several nuclear power plants. The first will be built by Rosatom; its construction is expected to take approximately 11 years and could be completed in 2035-2036. Research work near the village of Ulken on Lake Balkhash began on August 8, 2025. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX