> This announcement comes at a time when Kazakhstan is making significant strides in its nuclear energy sector. On October 6, a national referendum saw 71.12% of voters express support for the construction of a nuclear power plant (NPP) on the shores of Lake Balkhash, a project estimated to cost between $10 bn and $15 bn. This new nuclear facility is expected to help address southern Kazakhstan’s energy deficit by 2035. Back on the 6th, the Kazak voters approved building a nuclear power plant.