Russia has officially kicked off work on Kazakhstan’s first-ever nuclear power plant, marking a major step for the world’s largest uranium producer as it seeks to boost its energy capacity.

The project, announced on Friday, involves initial engineering surveys to determine the best location and develop technical plans for the large-scale facility. It will be situated near Ulken, a sparsely populated village on the shores of Lake Balkhash, roughly 400 kilometers from Almaty.

Kazakhstan’s energy minister, Almasadam Satkaliev, described the plant as a “strategic choice” that will drive long-term growth both nationally and regionally. Despite being a major uranium supplier—accounting for 43% of global output and serving as the EU’s third-largest source—Kazakhstan still struggles with domestic power shortages.

The new reactor, to be built by Russia’s state-owned Rosatom, will operate for at least 60 years, with the possibility of a two-decade extension. The decision to partner with Russia followed a competitive bidding process in which France and South Korea were also contenders. Authorities say China is set to build two additional nuclear facilities in the country, with details expected later this year.

Nuclear energy remains a sensitive subject in Kazakhstan due to the lingering impact of Soviet-era nuclear tests that exposed around 1.5 million people to radiation. Nevertheless, officials see the project as essential for meeting growing electricity demand.

Beyond Kazakhstan, Russia is expanding its nuclear footprint across Central Asia, with plans for a plant in Uzbekistan and a small-scale reactor in Kyrgyzstan.