Kazakhstan to hold referendum on nuclear power plant construction on Oct. 6

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - ​​​​​​​Kazakhstan will hold a national referendum on October 6 to decide on the construction of a nuclear power plant, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced on Monday. The decision reflects the government's push to address the country’s growing energy needs amid a global energy deficit.

“I support the government’s proposal. The national referendum on the construction of the nuclear power plant will be held on Oct. 6 of this year, and today I will sign the relevant decree,” Tokayev stated during an address to the nation.

Tokayev underscored the importance of nuclear energy as a solution to meet Kazakhstan's increasing energy demands. He highlighted that any decision on this significant national issue must be made with the people's backing. "Every important step for the life of the country must be made with the support of the people. It should be the same with the referendum on the nuclear power plant,” he added.

The proposal for the referendum was first floated by Tokayev in September last year. He described the decision to build or not build a nuclear power plant as a critical issue for Kazakhstan's future, noting that opinions in the country are divided, with safety concerns being a significant factor.

These concerns stem from the tragic legacy of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, located in northeastern Kazakhstan, where more than 450 nuclear tests were conducted during the Soviet era. The site was closed in 1991, but the memory of its impact remains strong among the population.

As Kazakhstan weighs its energy future, the upcoming referendum will be a pivotal moment in determining whether the country moves forward with nuclear power.​​​​​​​