A poster calls for participation in a referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant in the village of Ulken, located on the shores of Lake Balkhash, about 400 kilometers north of Almaty, on September 21, 2024. RUSLAN PRYANIKOV / AFP It is an overwhelming “yes” in favor of the atom, with 71.12% of the votes, which concludes a historic referendum this October 6. Some 63.66% of Kazakh voters went to the polls to vote on the question “Do you agree with the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan?” », a participation rate stimulated by the intense pro-nuclear campaign of the quasi-single presidential party Amanat (formerly Nur Otan). The victory of the government’s nuclear project was without suspense in this authoritarian country, where the authorities sought to muzzle dozens of opponents of nuclear power ahead of a vote marred by irregularities, against a backdrop of an electricity deficit and geostrategic rivalries. In Almaty, the largest city in the south of the country, Jomart Zhumanov leaves the voting booth a little confused. “I voted for the power plant, because we have to put an end to the constant power cuts… But I don’t want it to be built on Lake Balkhash, the winds will bring toxic particles towards us, it It’s dangerous! », says this agronomist, moving away from the traditional music played loudly in the polling station. It is noted that construction will take place on the west coast of the country’s largest lake, 330 kilometers north of Almaty. For many, the choice of nuclear energy is essential at a time when energy problems are becoming more felt each year in Kazakhstan, with recurring breakdowns in winter on its dilapidated infrastructure inherited from the Soviet Union. “The south of the country in particular is experiencing significant electricity shortages,” explains Jakyp Khairushev, emeritus engineer and director of the Atameken Chamber of Commerce. A nuclear power plant will then bring about a certain stabilization, even if the country actually needs three power plants like this,” says the specialist. Reduce dependence on coal-fired power plants The largest country in Central Asia, with subsoils rich in raw materials and rare metals, has the advantage of extracting nearly 40% of the world’s uranium production. Nuclear reactors with a power of 1,200 to 1,400 megawatts should contribute 12% of the energy mix by 2035, and reduce dependence on polluting coal-fired power plants, responsible for nearly 70% of electricity. of the country. On the steps of the polling station, Lioudmila still remains doubtful about these arguments. “My generation remembers the tragedies of Chernobyl and Fukushima,” says this retiree who prefers not to give her last name. The Kazakh population is in fact particularly aware of the danger of the atom, remembering 450 nuclear tests carried out by the USSR during the Cold War at the Semipalatinsk training ground, in the north-east of Kazakhstan. Nearly 1.5 million people had been exposed to radiation, and high rates of cancer and congenital diseases are still recorded in this region. You have 52.55% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.
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