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On 6 October, Kazakhstan holds an important referendum to decide the fate of the country’s first nuclear power plant. The project, which is estimated to cost $12 billion, aims to reduce the country’s dependence on coal, which is a major source of pollution.
The referendum started at 7am local time and will last until 8pm. According to the Kazakh service ofRadio Liberty, the voting turnout has already exceeded 50%, which indicates the active participation of citizens in the decision-making process. About 12 million Kazakhs are eligible to vote.
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that an international consortium could build the nuclear power plant. Among the potential partners, applications from Russia, China, South Korea and France are being considered.
Today, Kazakhstan relies primarily on coal-fired power plants to meet its energy needs. In addition, the country imports electricity from Russia to meet domestic demand. With the commissioning of the nuclear power plant, the authorities hope not only to improve the environmental situation but also to secure energy independence.
The results of the referendum could be decisive in shaping the country’s new energy policy and influence its economic development in the future.
Source: “Radio Liberty,Radio Azzatik
