Kazakhs vote for construction of first nuclear power plant in referendum

Astana, Oct 7 (EFE).- Over 71 percent of Kazakh voters approved the construction of the first nuclear power plant in the history of Kazakhstan in a referendum held Sunday, the Central Asian country’s Central Electoral Commission (CEC) announced Monday.

More than 5.5 million Kazakhs voted "Yes" to the government initiative, while just over two million opposed the construction of the power plant.

The initiative generated controversy because Kazakhstan continues to suffer from the consequences of Soviet-era nuclear tests.

"Do you agree with the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan?" was the question asked at the ballot box.

The construction of a nuclear power plant is a sensitive issue in this country, where thousands of people still suffer the consequences of the radioactivity released at the infamous Semipalatinsk site, the scene of nearly five hundred Soviet atomic tests in the northeast of the country.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev backed the construction of the plant to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and also electricity imports from Russia.

To reassure opponents of nuclear energy, Tokayev advocated that the project should be undertaken not by a single foreign corporation - Russia, China, France, and South Korea are bidding in the competition - but by an international consortium including several companies with cutting-edge technology in this field.

The country depends on coal - a highly polluting energy source - for 80 percent of its electricity generation compared to 15 percent from hydroelectric power and 5 percent from renewable energy. EFE

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