Nuclear, Other Energy Sector Agreements Reached during Chinese Premier’s Visit

ASTANA – Several important memoranda, including a memorandum to deepen atomic cooperation, were signed Dec. 14 during the official meeting of the Kazakh-Chinese Council, where Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov met with the Chinese Premier of State Council Li Keqiang.

likeqiangKazAtomProm, the national atomic company, and the Chinese General Nuclear Energy Corporation signed a document that stipulates building joint ventures to produce nuclear fuel assemblies in Kazakhstan for nuclear power plants for China and third countries, as well as for the development of uranium resources.

Among other documents, an agreement on strategic cooperation between Samruk-Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund and the State Grid Corporation of China was concluded.

The document covers the research of grid links between the two countries and the establishment of large thermal power plants and renewable energy sources (RES) in Kazakh territory.

The agreement also stipulates the organisation of an electricity supply from Kazakhstan to China and the transit to third countries via Chinese territory. Issues such as the use of advanced technology for ultra-high power transmission of DC voltage, engagement of coal, wind and solar resources in Kazakhstan were also included in the agreement.

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway company, and the Chinese Railways also signed an agreement to expand cargo transportation between the sides and increase its volume from China via Kazakhstan to Europe and Central Asia.

In the oil and gas sector, an agreement to expand technical cooperation between KazMunayGas and the China National Oil and Gas Corporation was signed that assumed cooperation in the deposits of oil and gas in south Turgai to increase the volume of oil production in South Kumkol.

A memorandum of cooperation to promote cooperation and investment in the power sector of Kazakhstan was also signed between Samruk-Energo and the China International Corporation of Water and Energy. The document places emphasis on the development of renewable energy sources and implementation of projects in order to provide electricity to the southern region of Kazakhstan. In particular, the agreement specifies the basic parameters of the Sheleksky region and flow diversion in the Kensu River and Bestyubinsk Reservoir.

A document to highlight cooperation of complex coal processing was signed between KazMunayGas Processing and Marketing, China Kingho Energy Group. Arbat and Razrez Kuznetsky were assigned for the development of the modern chemical-coal industry in Kazakhstan, with further production of diesel fuel, synthetic natural gas and other petrochemical products.

KTZ Express and Lianyungang Port signed a document to strengthen and improve the international traffic through the new Eurasian continental transport corridor. The agreement stipulates the navigation of the routes from China-Europe and China-Central Asia, with the direct participation of the Lianyungang seaport creating favourable conditions for transportation and increasing the transit of the cargo train cars.


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