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الوسم: energy cooperation

  • Russia and China to Form Consortiums for Kazakhstan’s First Nuclear Plants

    Russia and China to Form Consortiums for Kazakhstan’s First Nuclear Plants

    Sure! Here’s a rewritten version in American English, making it unique and plagiarism-free:

    Kazakhstan Initiates Nuclear Power Development

    Key Highlights:

    • Rosatom and CNNC Selected for Nuclear Projects
    • Kazakhstan Aims for 2.4 GW Nuclear Capacity by 2035
    • Public Support for Nuclear Energy Grows

    ASTANA: Kazakhstan’s atomic energy agency announced on Saturday that Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, and China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) will lead the development of the nation’s inaugural nuclear power plants.

    Despite being rich in oil and gas, there has been no nuclear power production in Kazakhstan since 1999, when the BN-350 reactor, located by the Caspian Sea, was decommissioned.

    Kazakhstan is among the top uranium producers globally, yet it relies predominantly on coal-fired plants for electricity, complemented by hydroelectric facilities and a burgeoning renewable energy sector.

    In October, a referendum supported by the president allowed a vote favoring the establishment of nuclear power plants, with plans to achieve a total nuclear capacity of 2.4 gigawatts by 2035.

    The newly established Kazakh atomic energy agency, created in March, highlighted in a statement that Rosatom’s proposal was "the most optimal and beneficial," and efforts have commenced to secure state export financing from Russia.

    Rosatom’s CEO, Alexei Likhachev, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating that the planned plant will utilize "the most advanced and efficient design available globally."

    The two-reactor facility is set to be constructed in the village of Ulken, around 400 kilometers northwest of Almaty, the country’s commercial hub. Likhachev noted that the facility will incorporate VVER-1200 Generation 3+ reactors, a technology successfully used in Russia and other countries.

    Almasadam Satqaliev, the chairman of the Kazakh agency, mentioned that a separate agreement with CNNC will be made for a second nuclear power plant. He emphasized, "China clearly possesses the necessary technology and industrial base, and our next significant focus is collaborating with China."

    Details about other companies involved in the consortiums, as well as the financial and timeline specifics of the projects, remain unclear. French and South Korean firms had also proposed their projects to Kazakhstan.

    Kazakhstan is enhancing its energy partnerships with both Russia and China. President Vladimir Putin visited Kazakhstan in November to discuss collaborative efforts in energy and industry. Most of Kazakhstan’s oil exports travel through Russia, although the country is seeking alternative routes.

    In further cooperation, China National Petroleum Corporation agreed with Kazakhstan’s national gas company in February to increase gas imports for 2024-2025, along with finalizing a crude oil purchase agreement with Tengizchevroil, which operates oil production in Kazakhstan.

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  • Saudi Arabia, US Move Towards Civil Nuclear Deal, Says Energy Chief

    Saudi Arabia, US Move Towards Civil Nuclear Deal, Says Energy Chief

    US Secretary of Energy Discusses Nuclear Cooperation with Saudi Arabia

    RIYADH: On a recent trip to Riyadh, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced that the United States and Saudi Arabia are set to sign a preliminary agreement aimed at supporting the kingdom’s plans for establishing a civil nuclear industry. During a press briefing, Wright explained that discussions with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman had paved the way for collaboration on the development of a civil nuclear program in Saudi Arabia.

    This marks Wright’s first visit to the kingdom since taking office, as part of a broader tour of energy-rich Gulf states. He mentioned that more specifics regarding a memorandum of understanding detailing the energy collaboration between the two nations would be disclosed later this year.

    "For a US partnership in nuclear development here, a 123 agreement will certainly be necessary. There are various structures we can explore that would meet both Saudi and American objectives," he stated.

    The term "123 agreement" refers to Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act of 1954, which is essential for allowing the US government and American corporations to engage with Saudi entities in developing a civil nuclear sector.

    Wright noted that Saudi officials have yet to accept the stipulations outlined in the act, which includes nine non-proliferation criteria aimed at preventing nuclear technology from being misused for weapons development or the unauthorized transfer of sensitive materials.

    Earlier negotiations faced challenges, primarily because Saudi Arabia desired assurances that would not eliminate its ability to enrich uranium or reprocess spent fuel, both of which could potentially lead to nuclear weapon capabilities.

    Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously asserted that if Iran were to develop a nuclear weapon, Saudi Arabia would feel compelled to do the same, a standpoint that has raised alarms among advocates for arms control and some legislators in the US regarding a potential civil nuclear agreement.

    Wright did not address broader arrangements that the Biden administration had initially pursued, which included not just a civil nuclear agreement but also security guarantees, potentially aimed at advancing normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

    As the world’s leading oil exporter, Saudi Arabia is striving to expand its renewable energy production and minimize emissions as part of its Vision 2030 reform initiative, with a portion of that strategy possibly hinging on nuclear energy development.