Kazakhstan’s National Atomic Company Kazatomprom has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Slovak power utility Slovenské Elektrárne (SE) envisaging long-term cooperation in the nuclear energy sector.
The MOU outlines the intention to establish supplies of natural uranium concentrate and potential deliveries of uranium dioxide (UO₂) for Slovak nuclear power plants (NPPs), as well as to explore additional areas of future cooperation.
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SE, which generates more than 70% of Slovakia’s total electricity, operates two NPPs – Bohunice and Mochovce – with a total of five VVER-440 reactors. SE’s majority shareholder is Slovak Power Holding (66%), with the Slovak government holding 34%.
“By signing this memorandum we are taking an important step towards strengthening cooperation with our European partners,” said Meirzhan Yussupov, CEO of Kazatomprom. “Nuclear energy plays a key role in ensuring sustainable energy supply in Slovakia. We believe this memorandum will lay the foundation for strong and mutually beneficial relations between our companies.”
SE CEO and Board Chairman Branislav Strycek emphasised the strategic importance of diversifying nuclear fuel supply sources and expressed confidence in the prospects of the long-term cooperation with Kazatomprom – the world’s largest producer of natural uranium. Kazatomprom’s attributable production represented approximately 21% of global primary uranium production in 2024.
The major importers of Kazakh nuclear fuel are China, Russia, Canada, the US and France. In 2024, Kazatomprom reported approximately $3.4bn in sales of uranium and other products, marking a 26.4% year-on-year increase. The company is also hoping to expand its presence in the nuclear fuel supply cycle and the rare earth supply chain.
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By GlobalDataKazatomprom has been actively pursuing new partnerships and expanding existing ones with European companies, including Romania’s state-owned SN Nuclearelectrica. Discussions in May focused on concluding a 10-year contract for the expanded supply of natural uranium and exploring cooperation in beryllium processing.
In April, Kazatomprom secured a uranium concentrate supply agreement with Czech energy company ČEZ to provide natural uranium for the Temelín NPP. In February, Swiss Axpo Power AG, together with Kernkraftwerk Leibstadt AG, signed a contract for the supply of natural uranium concentrates from Kazatomprom.
