This is a resounding “yes” in favor of the atom, with 71.12% of the votes, which concludes a historic referendum this October 6. 63.66% of Kazakh voters went to the polls to decide on the issue. “ Do you agree with the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan? ? »a participation rate stimulated by the intense pronuclear campaign of the almost sole presidential party Amanat (formerly Nur Otan). The victory of the government’s nuclear project occurred without suspense in this authoritarian country, where the authorities tried to muzzle dozens of opponents of nuclear energy before a vote marked by irregularities, in a context of electricity deficit and geostrategic rivalries.
In Almaty, the largest city in the south of the country, Jomart Zhumanov leaves the voting booth a little confused. “I voted in favor of the plant because we have to put an end to the constant power cuts… But I don’t want it to be built on Lake Balkhash, the winds will bring toxic particles towards us, it is dangerous! “, said this agronomist, moving away from the traditional music that is heard at full volume at the polling station. It should be noted that construction will take place on the western coast of the country’s largest lake, 330 kilometers north of Almaty.
For many, the choice of nuclear energy is essential at a time when energy problems are becoming more felt every year in Kazakhstan, with recurring breakdowns in winter in its dilapidated infrastructure inherited from the Soviet Union. “ Especially the south of the country suffers major electricity outages.explains Jakyp Khairushev, distinguished engineer and director of the Atameken Chamber of Commerce. “One nuclear power plant will then contribute to some stabilization, even if the country really needs three plants like this.” the specialist advances.
Reduce dependence on coal power plants
The largest country in Central Asia, with subsoils rich in raw materials and rare metals, has the advantage of extracting almost 40% of the world’s uranium production. Nuclear reactors with a power of 1,200 to 1,400 megawatts should contribute 12% of the energy mix by 2035 and reduce dependence on polluting coal-fired power plants, responsible for almost 70% of the country’s electricity.
On the steps of the electoral college, Lioudmila still doubts these arguments. “My generation remembers the tragedies of Chernobyl and Fukushima »says this retiree who prefers not to give her last name. In fact, the Kazakh population is particularly aware of the danger of the atom, remembering the 450 nuclear tests carried out by the USSR during the Cold War at the Semipalatinsk training camp, in northeastern Kazakhstan. Nearly 1.5 million people have been exposed to radiation, and high rates of cancer and congenital diseases still occur in this region.
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