Press Release on Kazakhstan – Russia Strategic Partnership in Nuclear Energy Development

27.07.2006
25 July 2006 in the city of Aktau, Western Kazakhstan, MAEK-Kazatomprom hosted a meeting between Kazakhstan Prime Minister Danial Akhmetov and the Head of Russian Federal Nuclear Energy Agency Sergey Kirienko.

The meeting agenda was based on joint statement on strategic cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear power by Presidents N. Nazarbayev and V. Putin during their meeting 25 January 2006.

The cooperation program consists of 6 major directions:

1. Nuclear Fuel Manufacture;

A memorandum has been signed between Kazatomprom and Tenex for establishing 2 joint ventures – Uranium Mining and processing project in Kazakhstan to provide nuclear fuel for Russian design reactors, and Enrichment facility in Russia. The deal involves exchange of assets between the two projects.

2. Nuclear Construction;

One more joint venture envisaged between Kazatomprom and Russian Atomstroiexport. This joint venture will be responsible for manufacture of new type VBER-300 developed by Russian nuclear design office after Afrikantof. Final design and feasibility study will be done by the joint venture.

A pilot 300MWE unit planned for construction in Kazakhstan. This type of reactor is optimal for existing infrastructure in Kazakhstan; most popular in the world 1000MWE reactor deemed uneconomic due to lengthy transmission lines in Kazakhstan.

The joint venture also believes in possible exports this type of nuclear reactors, which design is based on tested and proven technology of former Soviet nuclear navy with over 6000 reactor-year of flawless performance.

3. Transport infrastructure;
4. Regulatory modifications and compliance;
5. Research and Development;
6. Staff Training.

The parties discussed further steps in these areas of cooperation.

Development of Kazakhstan – Russian cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear power is a part of Kazatomprom strategy to become vertically integrated nuclear company.