Kazakhstan and China have long exemplified a deep, strategic, and trusted partnership in nuclear energy. Today, as the global community faces the challenges of energy security and sustainable development, our cooperation becomes even more important. Our joint efforts in uranium mining, fuel production, and security of uranium supply are laying the foundation for a sustainable energy future.
Today, energy policy is a critical driver of global economic and technological progress. As a CEO of Kazakhstan’s national atomic company, I am deeply convinced that nuclear power is not just a part of the solution – it is the cornerstone of long-term, stable, and carbon-free energy system.
China has adopted a long-term strategy positioning nuclear power as a key pillar of sustainable energy development. It is among the world’s leaders in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and is pursuing one of the most ambitious nuclear build-out programs globally, with a goal of constructing 100 new reactors by 2030, in addition to those already under construction.
For Kazakhstan it is particularly important to be part of this process. As the world’s leading uranium producer and the country with the second-largest proven reserves of natural uranium, we recognize our critical role as a reliable partner in maintaining safe and stable supplies of uranium and nuclear fuel components for China’s nuclear energy needs. Our partnership with Chinese counterparts goes far beyond trade – it’s a long-term strategic relationship grounded in trust, mutual understanding, and shared values. It is fair to say, that our partnership enhances and complements our respective capacities, as the largest producer is next to basically the largest consumer, strengthening both parties positions and aspirations.
Joint Mining and Processing
We are proud to note that our cooperation spans nearly the entire nuclear fuel cycle. Joint ventures with leading Chinese companies have been successfully operating uranium mines in Kazakhstan – Semizbai-U LLP, Ortalyk LLP, Turanium LLP, and JV Zarechnoye JSC.
Equally important is our movement toward deeper value-added processing. Between 2011 and 2023, we produced and delivered over 530 tonnes of Kazakh-made nuclear fuel pellets to China. In 2024, we delivered nearly 95 tonnes, and we expect these deliveries to continue steadily in the coming years. These figures reflect not only strong demand, but meticulous and coordinated efforts of our teams.
Nuclear Fuel Production
One of cornerstones of our industrial cooperation is the Ulba-Fuel Assembly (Ulba-FA) project – Central Asia’s only producer of nuclear fuel assemblies for nuclear power plants – launched in partnership with China General Nuclear Power Corporation at the Ulba Metallurgical Plant. Since beginning operations in 2021, the plant has delivered 11 fuel assembly batches, amounting to more than 370 tonnes of low-enriched uranium. In 2024, the plant reached its full design capacity of 200 tonnes per year.
Ulba-FA has become a successful model of high-tech industrial cooperation between Kazakhstan and China. As the only facility of its kind in Central Asia, and a certified supplier fully integrated into China’s nuclear fuel supply chains, the plant demonstrates how trusted long-term partnerships can deliver mutual strategic benefits. It strengthens energy security and contributes to the global transition to low-carbon power.
Natural Uranium Supply
Kazatomprom is one of the key suppliers of natural uranium to China. We have a long-lasting partnerships with leading state-owned nuclear enterprises of China: China National Nuclear Corporation, China General Nuclear Power Corporation, and State Power Investment Corporation.
We aim to expand this strategic cooperation and explore opportunities across other stages of the nuclear fuel cycle. This continued engagement will not only support China’s growing demand for carbon-free electricity, but also contribute to global efforts to build a greener, safer, and more sustainable planet for future generations.
Science, Technology, and Talent
We firmly believe that sustainable development is not possible without scientific and technological exchange. Kazatomprom is open to mutually beneficial cooperation and joint research with Chinese partners, aimed at improving the efficiency of uranium mining and processing, as well as extracting rare metals from uranium solutions.
Equally important is the development of human capital. We are interested in launching academic and technical exchange programs between Kazakhstan and China, including master’s and PhD studies for our employees at Chinese universities, advanced training courses, and scientific internships at Chinese nuclear enterprises and research centers. These are investments into the future of our partnership.
A Shared Vision for the Future
For Kazakhstan, China is far more than a key market. It is a strategic partner, close neighbor and an important global nuclear industry player which shares our views on peaceful use of nuclear energy for carbon-free future.
We are confident that deepening of industrial and scientific cooperation, development of infrastructure, and implementation of new joint projects might open new horizons for the Kazakhstan-China nuclear partnership. Together, we are helping to shape a safer, more sustainable energy future for the 21st century.
Meirzhan Yussupov is the CEO of Kazatomprom, which he has been leading since 2023.
