Uzatom and Rosatom sign roadmap for cooperation

On March 24, key documents on strategic cooperation were signed in Tashkent and at the future nuclear power plant construction site in the Forish district of Jizzakh region. The official start of initial concrete works was also announced. This was reported by Uzatom.

According to the report, the Agency for the Development of Atomic Energy under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzatom) and Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom signed a roadmap for cooperation in nuclear and related sectors. They also signed an agreement related to the contract for the construction of an integrated nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan. The document was signed by Uzatom Director Azim Akhmedkhodjaev and Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev.

The roadmap covers key areas of cooperation, including the stages of implementing the nuclear power plant construction project, training highly qualified personnel, ensuring public acceptance of nuclear energy, developing infrastructure for a future nuclear town, and comprehensive sector development.

“The signing of the roadmap confirms the broad and comprehensive nature of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Russia in the field of nuclear energy. This partnership will contribute to the development of various sectors of the country’s economy and social life,” the statement said.

At the same time, a ceremony was held at the construction site in Forish district, Jizzakh region, marking the start of initial concrete works for the construction of a low-capacity nuclear power plant unit equipped with a RITM-200N reactor. The ceremony was opened by Abdusamil Kalmuratov, Director of the Nuclear Power Plant Construction Directorate in Uzbekistan, and Pavel Bezrukov, Vice President of Atomstroyexport and Project Director for the NPP construction in Uzbekistan (engineering division of Rosatom).

Currently, work is underway to prepare the concrete foundation beneath the reactor building. This phase is expected to be completed in April this year. Nearly 900 cubic meters of concrete will be poured. Upon completion, a base with waterproofing and grounding systems for the reactor building foundation will be prepared.

An agreement confirming the updated configuration of the plant was also signed. It предусматривает two power units with Generation III+ VVER-1000 reactors and two power units with RITM-200N reactors, each with a capacity of 55 MW.

Once fully operational, the plant is expected to generate approximately 15.4 billion kWh of electricity annually, accounting for more than 15 percent of Uzbekistan’s total electricity consumption.

It was also reported that the state enterprise “NPP Construction Directorate” received a permit from the Committee for Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan to use the site for placing two nuclear power units with RITM-200N reactor installations. This marks an important stage in preparations for building the nuclear power plant in the country.

According to the findings, no prohibitive factors such as active tectonic faults, high seismic risk zones, or areas of intensive karst formation were identified at the selected site. The positive conclusion confirms that the site fully meets nuclear and radiation safety requirements, environmental standards, and technical regulations. This document serves as a key basis for site use and represents one of the most important stages in the life cycle of any nuclear power plant.

It enables further work on detailed design, engineering preparation, and subsequent construction phases, while ensuring maximum safety at all stages of the project.

“The project is being implemented under the strict supervision of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who personally supports the development of the nuclear industry as a key direction for the country’s energy independence and sustainable growth. We are moving forward step by step, strictly adhering to the schedule and the highest safety standards—from concrete preparation to reactor construction, from equipment installation to the commissioning of power units,” Azim Akhmedkhodjaev said in a comment to journalists.

Earlier, it was reported that a new town for 10,000 residents would be built in Jizzakh for specialists working at the future nuclear power plant and their families.