The Kazakhstan Atomic Energy Agency has begun preparations for a competition in which Kazakhs will choose the best name for the country's first NPP, which is being built with the participation of Rosatom, the agency's press service reported.
„In accordance with the proposal of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, by order of the agency, a working group was established, which was tasked with developing an algorithm for conducting the competition and preparing rules by August 29, including deadlines, a procedure for receiving and considering proposals. In addition, a tender committee has been set up, which will include representatives of the public, the creative industry, experts in the field of nuclear energy, philology and history,“ the report says.
On August 8, the construction of the first nuclear power plant in the republic began in Kazakhstan. The station will be built near the village of Ulken. The opening ceremony of the construction was attended by the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency of Kazakhstan Almasadam Satkaliyev and the Director General of „Rosatom“ Alexey Likhachev.
On June 14, the authorities of the republic announced that „Rosatom“ was elected as the leader of the consortium for the construction of the plant, as it presented the most optimal proposal.
In 2024, a referendum was held in Kazakhstan on the construction of a nuclear power plant, with the majority of participants supporting the construction of such a plant. The village of Ulken, founded in 1984, is located in the Zhambyl district of Almaty region, 340 km from Almaty. According to the authorities, Ulken has about 1,740 inhabitants.