NEWS |
round up
NEW BUILD A STEAM GENERATOR for units 3&4 of India’s Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (GHAVP) NPP in Haryana’s Fatehabad district has been dispatched seven months ahead of schedule. Completion of the steam generator was described by NPCIL as a “significant step” for India’s nuclear expansion.
THE FIRST STEAM generator has been installed at unit 4 of China’s Haiyang NPP in Shandong province. State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) subsidiary Shandong Nuclear Power Group said this lays a solid foundation for the completion of the main circuit of the nuclear island and the capping of the reactor building.
PREPARATION OF A justification for the feasibility of building a second NPP in Belarus or a third unit at the existing NPP is in its final stage, Belarusian Energy Minister Denis Moroz told ONT TV channel. The first NPP with two VVER-1200 reactors was built with Russian assistance in Ostrovets,.
DARIUSZ MARZEC PRESIDENT of Poland’s largest state-controlled power utility, Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE) announced that preliminary work had been completed to investigate the possibility of building Poland’s second analytical work, including a review of archival geological and environmental data, indicates that this region may meet the criteria requiredt.
BULGARIA’S MTG-DOLPHIN AD has been contracted by Westinghouse Electric Company to support the construction of two AP1000 reactors (units 7&8) at the Kozloduy NPP site. The contract covers the development of the Nuclear Quality Assurance Programme (NQA-1) focused on embedding a nuclear safety culture.
PLANT OPERATION THE PROPOSAL TO restart the cancelled VC Summer nuclear reactor construction project in South Carolina faces many challenges, according to a detailed report from Savannah River Site Watch. The 24-page report outlines major stumbling blocks to revival of the project.
THE BELGIAN GOVERNMENT not only wants to extend the life of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear reactors by another 10 years, but also hopes to keep Tihange 1 running beyond its planned closure this year, De Tijd has reported. Nuclear operator Engie, grid operator Elia and the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC – Federaal Agentschap voor Nucleaire Controle) are reportedly unconvinced.
Kazakhstan’s first NPP Work begins on
standards, minimises environmental and technological risks, and creates a foundation for efficient design of the plant. “The launch of engineering surveys in Ulken
Above: Kazakhstan’s first nuclear plant will comprise two VVER-1200 reactors
Engineering surveys have been launched in Ulken, in the Zhambyl District of the Almaty Region of Kazakhstan. The move marks the first stage of a project that will result in the construction of Kazakhstan’s first NPP. In June, Rosatom was designated as the
lead of an international consortium for the construction of Kazakhstan’s first NPP, following “open and constructive” negotiations with top global reactor manufacturers. The shortlist included Rosatom, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), Électricité de France, and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power. Kazakhstan plans to build at least three NPPs. Subsequently CNNC was selected to lead the consortia which will build the second and third plants. The first plant will comprise two Generation III+ VVER-1200 reactors, similar to facilities operating and under construction in Russia, Belarus, Turkey, Bangladesh, Egypt, and China. The reactor’s service life is 60 years, with a potential extension of another 20 years. At the St Petersburg International Economic
Forum in June, an Indicative Roadmap for the NPP construction project was approved between Rosatom and the Kazakhstan Atomic Energy Agency (KAEA). The document outlines key stages: conducting engineering surveys, preparing design documentation, and signing an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contract. A framework agreement was also signed between Kazakh Nuclear Power Plants (KNPP) and Atomstroyexport (Rosatom’s Engineering Division). This outlines key partnership principles for the project. Specialists from Rosatom’s Engineering Division have started drilling the first exploratory borehole and soil sampling. These studies will assess seismic stability, hydrogeological features, and other parameters of the area. A total of at least 50 boreholes, each between 30 and 120 metres deep, will be drilled during this stage. A final decision on the NPP’s exact location will be made based on the survey results. The surveys ensure the project will comply with both international and national
6 | September 2025 |
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marks the beginning of the journey toward the first high-capacity NPP in Kazakhstan’s modern history, said Rosatom’s Director General Alexey Likhachev at a ceremony to mark the start of activities. “At this stage, we are focusing on a thorough study of the site to be fully confident in its suitability for a future nuclear plant. Rosatom is ready to apply all its accumulated experience to implement this strategically important project for Kazakhstan’s development.” Almasadam Satkaliyev, Chairman of the
Kazakhstan Atomic Energy Agency (KAEA, speaking at the launch ceremony, noted: “Today is only the first step, but it determines Kazakhstan’s path toward establishing a new high-tech sector in the national economy. We are confident that the NPP will provide a powerful boost to the region’s development – from the creation of modern infrastructure to new schools, kindergartens, and social facilities. This project is Kazakhstan’s strategic choice and a driver of long-term regional and national economic growth.” He added: “I would like to point out that the
NPP construction project is being implemented with broad public backing – over 70% of citizens supported it in last year’s national referendum.” Satkaliyev stressed that Kazakhstan will
remain the sole owner, operator, and producer of uranium fuel, retaining full control over all technological processes. He noted that the total investment in the project is estimated at $14- 15bn and an additional $1bn has been allocated for the development of social infrastructure in the surrounding region. He said Kazakhstani enterprises and research institutions would play a central role in the project, with the aim of bolstering domestic industry, creating thousands of jobs, and advancing the country’s nuclear capabilities to international standards. Separately it was reported that Samruk- Kazyna (Kazakhstan’s Sovereign Wealth Fund) is working on the complete transfer of KNPP (operator of the future NPPs) into state ownership. Earlier Samruk-Kazyna transferred KNPP to trust management of KAEA, which was given the right to change the charter of the KNPP, including changing the size of the authorised capital of the company. Samruk-Kazyna, established in 2008 by
Presidential Decree, manages a portfolio of major national companies. These include enterprises of the chemical and nuclear industries, mining complexes, energy and real estate industries. ■
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