Rosatom to build 2 nuclear power plants in Uzbekistan

The nuclear power plant (NPP) project planned for construction in Uzbekistan by the Russian state corporation Rosatom has been reformatted. The new plan envisions the construction of one small and one large nuclear power plant, each equipped with two reactors. This development was announced by the Russian Ministry of Economic Development following a meeting of the working group on enhancing trade between Russia and Uzbekistan, held during the Tashkent International Investment Forum.

The event was attended by Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov and Uzbek Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov.

“Last year, construction began on a small nuclear power plant. This year, the leaders of the two countries reviewed the project and agreed to build a plant with two larger reactors and a plant with two smaller reactors,” the ministry’s statement said.

In late April, Rosatom Director General Alexei Likhachev stated in an interview that they expect concrete to be poured within the next year as part of the small NPP’s construction in Uzbekistan. He added that the company had also prepared proposals for building a large nuclear power plant in the country. These proposals include financial models, organizational frameworks, and plans for maximum localization.

The small nuclear power plant is Rosatom’s first export project of this type. The two sides reached an agreement on the project in spring last year, and by autumn, a protocol had been signed outlining the development of technical documentation and the start of design work.

According to earlier plans, six reactors with a capacity of 55 megawatts each were to be built. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer, with phased commissioning of the facility planned between 2029 and 2033.

As previously stated by Rosatom’s head, the Uzbek side will finance the project independently, and a Russian loan is not currently under consideration.