Kyrgyzstan hesitates as Russia pushes plans for nuclear power plant
Read NV on Google
Rosatom discusses construction of nuclear power plant in Kyrgyzstan (illustrative photo) (Photo: Rosatom)
Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom is discussing plans to build both a small modular nuclear plant and a medium-capacity nuclear power plant in Kyrgyzstan, Russia’s Interfax news agency reported on March 23.
“We have repeatedly said that we are ready to build both small- and medium-capacity facilities in Kyrgyzstan and are holding relevant talks with the country’s Energy Ministry,” Rosatom head Alexey Likhachev said. “These talks are proceeding slowly, as everything must be carefully weighed before becoming part of a major nuclear energy project.”
Kyrgyzstan and Rosatom signed a memorandum in early 2022 on the construction of a small modular nuclear power plant.
Last spring, Rosatom said it had submitted a preliminary feasibility study for the project to Kyrgyzstan’s Energy Ministry.
Deputy Energy Minister of Kyrgyzstan Altynbek Rysbekov said in the fall that “work is only being carried out on how such a plant could be built in Kyrgyzstan.”
“The possibility of building the plant exists, but no fundamental decision has been made yet,” he said. “Yes, a memorandum with Rosatom has been signed. Some work is underway, but where, how and in what form it will be built has not yet been determined — it is still too early.”
Kyrgyzstan is considering several ways to meet growing electricity demand, including hydropower plant modernization, construction of new thermal capacity and development of renewable energy sources.
As reported, Rosatom says it expects to commission the first power unit of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey by December 2026.
Rosatom is building the Akkuyu plant in Turkey’s Mersin province, which will become the country’s first nuclear power plant.
The plant will consist of four power units with a capacity of 1,200 MW each.
Rosatom also plans to begin construction of Uzbekistan’s first nuclear power plant in the first half of 2026.
The military war may be swinging in our favor, but the information war continues.
Just as an army needs soldiers, so does a free society need its journalists to ensure that people have access to honest, trustworthy voices to understand the world around them.
For the past five years, The New Voice of Ukraine has been working tirelessly to push back against Russian narratives and defend democracy. But we cannot do it alone.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon for just $5 a month – your donation does directly to supporting journalists and ensuring that this front of the infowar says solid and defended.
Thank you.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
