The Kazakh delegation is acquainted with the experience of Hungarian partners in expanding the Paks NPP to ensure energy security and independence of the country.

Almassadam Satkaliyev, the CEO of Samruk-Kazyna, and Timur Zhantikin, Director of Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants LLP, are meeting in Budapest with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Energy and Hungarian Atomic Energy Agency, as well as with the management of Paks NPP and EXIM Bank. The program of the visit includes a visit to the nuclear power plant and construction site of future new power units.

Hungary is one of the leaders in the field of peaceful atom

Hungary is among the top 5 countries in the world by the share of the atom among the sources of electricity generation. In 2021, Paks NPP covered 46.8% of the country’s electricity needs, generating 15,121 million kWh of electricity. The station provides jobs for more than 2,500 people. The NPP belongs to a subsidiary of a state–owned company, while the Government of Hungary owns the right of decisive vote. 

Paks is the only nuclear power plant in Hungary. It is located on the banks of the Danube, 100 km south of Budapest. Four power units have been operating for 35-40 years. To increase the volume of electricity, it is planned to build two more. The uniqueness of the project is that new power units will be built next to the existing ones. The expansion of the Paks NPP is an international project involving companies from different countries.

For example, the turbines will be supplied by the largest international manufacturer of power plants, General Electric (GE). Its representatives also participated in the meeting with the delegation of Kazakhstan. According to Gabor Senesh, Commercial Director of GE Steam Power, the company provides advanced energy technologies, including low-speed steam turbines for nuclear power plants: “Our experience in nuclear power has more than 60 years, and the total capacity of steam power equipment installed at the NPP is 200 GW”.

World experience “firsthand”

Representatives of Kazakhstan are particularly interested in the choice of supplier and technology for the expansion of the Paks NPP, Hungary’s experience in cooperation with international partners, impact of the NPP on electricity prices, safety of the plant, participation of local businesses in the project. 
“Our visit is purely practical. We are impressed by your experience in the construction and operation of nuclear power plants. It is very important for our society that the Kazakhstan NPP project be international”, A. Satkaliyev said. According to him, the final decision on the details of the construction of the station should be made by the Government of Kazakhstan.

The Hungarian partners noted that an open and frank dialogue with society is very important in the process of creating a nuclear power plant. According to them, before building the station, it is necessary to enlist the support of most of the citizens.

New sources of financing

The delegation of Kazakhstan will also hold talks with the management of the Hungarian export credit agency “EXIM Bank”. It is engaged in international trade and investment, cooperates with 150 countries around the world.

The management of Samruk-Kazyna invites EXIM Bank to participate in the financing of the Fund’s priority investment projects in Kazakhstan. They include new capacities in the energy sector, creation of railway tracks, development of the 5G network.