Nuclear power in Kazakhstan and current status of the BN-350 fast reactor

Atomic scientific-industrial complex of Republic of Kazakhstan consist of: Number of natural uranium mines, two plants of U3O8 production at Aktau and Stepnogorsk towns, metallurgical plant producing fuel pellets for RBMK and WWER fuel assemblies. Fast breeder reactor with sodium coolant BN - 350 at Aktau. The average share of BN-350 in total electricity production is 0.7%. Taking into account common condition industrial in Kazakhstan have no significant improvement the total electricity production on goal and oil station stayed on the same level as in 1996. According to government decision in 1998 the following structure of atomic complex have been established. Several rather serious events should be mentioned. In January 1998 the Provision of licensing in nuclear field was signed by Prime Ministry and now Kazakhstan have all necessary acts for starting this process. In April 1998 the General Program of development atomic scientific and industrial complex of Kazakhstan had been reported to Government and got approval in whole. In particular this program are including the design and construction NPP for electricity production on the lake Balhash, and two NPP for heating Almaty and new capital Akmola. In April 1998 the law on Radiation protection had got approval of Parliament and now President should sign it. In January the Nuclear Technologies Safety Center (NTSC) had been established by group of organizations such as KAEA, NNC, University, Nuclear Society of Kazakhstan, Center of standardization and Almaty local administration. NTSC have established as a society independent experts in the field nuclear safety. With cooperation with ANL an expertise on nuclear safety of BN-350 will be done related to long-term spent fuel storage