Kazakhstan voted in a referendum on Sunday on whether to build its first nuclear power plant.
Exit Poll
An exit poll showed that voters backed the idea promoted by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s cabinet as a way to phase out polluting coal plants.
The plan has faced public criticism over concerns on related hazards, the Soviet nuclear testing legacy, and fears over Russia’s involvement in the project.
Almost 64% of registered voters cast their ballots by 8 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) when the polling stations closed, the Central Election Commission said.
Preliminary Results On Monday
The preliminary results will be announced on Monday.
As many as 69.8% voted in favour of the plan in an exit poll of about 284,000 voters.
Popular Blogger Vadim Boreiko said that he has concluded that the decision to build the nuclear power plant, and to build it with (Russian state nuclear firm) Rosatom, has already been made in (Tokayev’s office).
Boreiko wrote that the people of Kazakhstan are being invited to polling stations as ‘notaries’ to authenticate this decision with their votes
Locals In Designated Site Hopeful Of Jobs
In the village of Ulken on the shores of Lake Balkhash, in
the southeast of the country, which the cabinet has designated
as the site to build the plant, some locals hoped the project
would bring jobs.
Concern Over Impact On Quality Of Lake Water
Others however expressed concern about the impact on the quality of the lake water.
“I support the power plant,” said Dametken Shulgeyeva, who has lived in the village of 200 people for more than 20 years.
Dependence On Coal-Powered Plants
Despite its sizeable natural gas reserves, the Central Asian
nation of 20 million relies mostly on coal-powered plants for
its electricity.
This is supplemented by some hydroelectric plants and
the growing renewable energy sector.
Import Of Electricity From Russia
Kazakhstan already imports electricity, mostly from Russia,
as its facilities, many of which are old, struggle to meet
domestic demand.
Soviet Legacy
The government has stressed the need for a reliable energy supply to supplement renewable sources such as solar and wind power.
Since Kazakhstan is one of the world’s biggest uranium
producers, nuclear power is a logical choice.
Competitive Advantages
“In order not to remain on the sidelines of global progress,
we must use our competitive advantages,” Tokayev said ahead of
the vote.
Projected Cost Of A Nuclear Power Plant
The cabinet estimates that a nuclear power plant would cost $10 billion-$12 billion to build.
It expects contractors to secure the financing.
Critics say that gas-powered plants can help in achieving the same goal.
Chornobyl Nuclear Disaster
Kazakhstan was part of the Soviet Union in 1986 when the
Chornobyl nuclear disaster occurred.
Tens of thousands of Kazakhs took part in the subsequent clean-up operation that left many with lifelong health issues.
Impact Of Soviet Nuclear Weapon Tests
Hundreds of Soviet nuclear weapon tests have been conducted in Kazakhstan.
These tests made swathes of land uninhabitable, caused
disease among people in nearby areas, and made many
people distrustful of anything nuclear.
Tokayev, who publicly cast his vote in the capital Astana
told reporters he had no single country or company in mind as a
potential contractor.
(With inputs from Reuters)
