Global nuclear power is presently undergoing a period of specific intensity with, according to International Energy Agency forecasts, an almost twofold increase in energy demand expected to take place over the next 25 years. Conventional energy resources such as oil, coal and gas will not be able to meet world needs and with the threat that presents, particularly to the ecology, the benefits of nuclear power plants are obvious. For countries without their own reserves of fossil fuel the development of nuclear power is the only way out. Transportation of uranium is much easier and costs for electric energy production, from uranium, are 4-6 times lower compared when to coal or gas. 

In the 21st century uranium has turned into a strategic product of the global economy,   currently accounting for 15% of electric energy production in the world. Based on information from the World Nuclear Association, as of the March 2009 there were 436 nuclear reactors operating around the world with another 43 under construction and 108 at the design stage. 226 more projects were being examined. Altogether that makes 417 reactors to be constructed worldwide. 

Today, obviously, coping with the energy deficit is directly associated with the development of nuclear power worldwide which is why one relevant topical issue is the construction of the required number of new and safe NPPs and their stable supply with nuclear fuel.  

A distinct vision of the time-frames for the development and formation of the global nuclear power industry will allow for dealing with the key global task – bringing the nuclear industry to the required level and preventing a growth of global energy deficit.

Kazatomprom offers to the entire world a concept of international cooperation in peaceful nuclear power development. The problems of the impending deficit of natural uranium, conversion and enrichment services, fuel assembly fabrication and capacities for construction of safe and reliable atomic stations can not be solved by each single country standing alone.  For the avoidance of a global energy deficit the problems of development of all stages of the nuclear fuel cycle can only be solved by wide international cooperation.

Resting on this conceptual vision of the global energy supply, since 2005, Kazatomprom has been pursuing its strategy for building-up a transnational vertically-integrated company participating in all stages of the nuclear fuel cycle (except processing of irradiated fuel and nuclear waste disposal).

Green: Nuclear fuel cycle stages inherited by Kazatomprom;
Blue: Nuclear fuel cycle stages established by Kazatomprom as a result of pursuing its corporate strategy;
Red –facilities not planned to be established.

The structure of the nuclear fuel cycle that existed in Kazakhstan had been formed in virtue of historical conditions. During the era of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan’s uranium industry was just a segment of a single complex structure represented by the nuclear military-industrial complex known as the Ministry of Middle Machinery. After the collapse of the USSR, Kazakhstan inherited a disrupted nuclear fuel cycle consisting of natural uranium production and fuel pellet fabrication. 

By signing agreements for creation of conversion, enrichment and fuel assembly production facilities with global key players of the nuclear power market, Kazatomprom completed, in 2008, the building up of a transnational vertically integrated company.

Today, the Company deals with practical implementation of the agreements reached in the following fields:  

Development of uranium production in Kazakhstan

Establishment of uranium hexafluoride production facility

Establishment of uranium enrichment facility

Establishment of end product (fuel assemblies) manufacturing facility to meet world nuclear power demand

Construction of Nuclear Power Plant VBER-300

As a result of implementing these programs, Kazatomprom intends to take a dominant position in the world nuclear power market and set up export of uranium, as an end product, with a maximal added value that will bring additional return both for the company and the country’s budget.