DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR ENERGY IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN: ISSUES AND TRENDS

Abstract

Purpose of the research is to study the level of public awareness, transparency and trust in the authorities in the framework of the state policy for the construction of a nuclear power plant.Methodology. In this work, both qualitative and quantitative research methods are applied. The study uses an online sociological survey among the population to analyze the impact of the ongoing state policy on the energy security of the country, namely the construction of nuclear power plants. In this work, an online survey based on a Google Survey was used. The survey involved 108 respondents. Also presented in the work are information materials of state institutions, information and news articles, as well as a review of international experience in the field of nuclear energy. Also, for the analysis and evaluation of external factors for developing nuclear energy, we considered PEST-analysis (Political, Economic, Social, and Technological factors).Originality / value of the research. Society plays an important role in solving the most urgent and acute political issues in the country. The awareness and opinion of citizens contributes to the development in society of a positive attitude towards the political decisions made in the state. Over the past two decades, in some countries, policies to reduce energy costs and targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions have contributed to the introduction of clean energy, including nuclear energy. In Kazakhstan, the issue of energy security has always been relevant and has never been removed from the agenda. Today, despite all the eff orts of the state, problems in the energy sector are not decreasing.Findings. This paper analyses the statements of many authors who believe that the degree of public awareness depends on the transparency and informational openness of state bodies. A sociological study was used in this work in order to empirically prove the influence of these factors. The survey contains the answers of the respondents. The analysis turned out to be quite interesting. As a result, the presence of a positive relationship between the level of information provided by state institutions and the awareness of citizens has been clearly demonstrated.