Kazakhstan's Nuclear Power Debate — Eldaniz Gusseinov

27. 5. 2025

This episode of The IR thinker asks whether nuclear power is set to become a cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s energy strategy, in conversation with political analyst Eldaniz Gusseinov. The discussion examines the country’s position as a major uranium producer, domestic debates over renewables versus traditional energy sources, and how decisions on nuclear power are actually made within Kazakhstan’s political system. 

It explores the legacy of Soviet-era nuclear plans and former test sites, the role of civil society and external consultants in shaping public consent, and the broader geopolitical stakes as Russia, China, France and South Korea compete for the anticipated reactor contract. The episode also considers security concerns, the possibility of a multinational consortium, and the often-overlooked dimensions of Kazakhstan’s energy security in a shifting regional and global context.

Eldaniz Gusseinov

Eldaniz Gusseinov is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Heydar Aliyev Centre for Eurasian Studies at Ibn Khaldun University and co-founder of Nightingale Intelligence International. His work focuses on EU–Central Asia relations, foreign policy analysis and Eurasian geopolitics, with particular attention to how external powers engage with the region’s energy and infrastructure choices.

Content

00:00 – Introduction
01:38 – Is Nuclear Power Essential for Kazakhstan?
04:06 – Public Opinion on Renewable versus Traditional Energy in Kazakhstan
07:38 – Who Makes the Decisions on Nuclear Power Plants in Kazakhstan?
12:01 – The History of Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Power Plans: Why Wasn’t a Soviet Plant Built?
17:28 – The Current State of Kazakhstan’s Former Nuclear Test Sites
19:20 – The Role of Civil Society in Nuclear Power Decision-Making
23:52 – Will Kazakhstan Engage a Third-Party Consultant for Its Nuclear Plans?
25:01 – Kazakhstan’s Uranium Production and Its Role in Nuclear Strategy
31:43 – Implications if Russia Wins the Nuclear Power Contract
41:49 – Implications if China Wins the Nuclear Power Contract
43:36 – Implications if France Wins the Nuclear Power Contract
44:51 – Implications if South Korea Wins the Nuclear Power Contract
46:37 – Could a Multinational Consortium Build Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Plant?
48:07 – Timeline for Kazakhstan’s Final Decision on the Nuclear Plant
49:03 – Security Concerns Related to Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Power Project
55:39 – Public Perceptions of the Nuclear Power Development Process
58:22 – Overlooked Dimensions of Kazakhstan’s Energy Security