The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) delivered the final report of a mission that reviewed Kazakhstan’s infrastructure development for a nuclear power program.
The Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission took place on November 2016 at the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It reviewed the status of development of the 19 infrastructure issues using the Phase 1 criteria of the IAEA's Milestones Approach.
IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy, Mikhail Chudakov, handed over the mission report yesterday to Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy, Kanat Bozumbayev. “Nuclear power is a complex undertaking that requires effective cooperation,” said Chudakov. “We encourage Kazakhstan to use this INIR Mission Report and the Integrated Work Plan meeting in April to optimize the Agency`s support and cooperation.”
The INIR team found that Kazakhstan has developed a considerable base of knowledge and experience in nuclear activities. It also encouraged the government to finalize a national action plan to ensure that necessary financial and human resources can advance the nuclear infrastructure of the country to Milestone 2.
“Kazakhstan has not yet taken a decision on the introduction of nuclear power,” said Minister Bozumbayev during the handover ceremony. “Committed to non-proliferation and further developing capabilities in a number of areas such as nuclear medicine, isotopes production and uranium mining, Kazakhstan highly values its cooperation with the IAEA and the work done by the INIR mission.”
To assist Kazakhstan in making further progress in its infrastructure development, the INIR team has made recommendations and identified good practices that may benefit other countries considering the introduction of nuclear power.