Discussion of the Nuclear Power Plant Project

        On October 4th, 4th-year students of the "Geodesy and Cartography" program held an educational session on the Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) project. During the open lesson, the efficiency and necessity of using natural electricity were discussed.

        The most important task in constructing an NPP is ensuring the energy potential of our country. Even now, the state is experiencing a shortage of electricity, and the demand for it grows every year. Currently, the equipment at most Kazakhstani power plants is worn out, with a significant portion of the stations having been in operation for more than 30 years. This factor affects the accident rates and stability of the power plants.

        The president has set the goal of achieving carbon neutrality in Kazakhstan by 2060. As is well known, NPPs do not emit greenhouse gases. By this measure, nuclear energy is comparable to renewable energy sources. According to data from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in 2021, nuclear energy has the lowest greenhouse gas emissions throughout its entire life cycle. Therefore, NPPs are the foundation for transitioning our energy sector to a carbon-neutral course. Unlike wind or solar power plants, NPPs are not dependent on weather conditions and can produce energy steadily at 100% capacity.

As for safety concerns, modern reactors use several consecutive and independent protection systems to prevent the release of radioactive materials. Many risks are considered in the design of new reactors. In general, compared to similar data, the probability of a severe accident in modern reactors is 100 times lower than the likelihood of dying in a plane crash. Another example: in the event of an accident, the autonomous operation of the reactor can last up to 72 hours. That means the reactor can shut down on its own and remain in a safe state for three days without human intervention.

        Students were informed about the principles of nuclear power plant operation, modern safety technologies, their impact on the environment, and the economic benefits of nuclear energy, such as stable electricity production, job creation, and achieving energy independence. The questions that concerned the students were also addressed.