Uzbekistan Begins Preparations for Nuclear Power Plant Construction
Uzbekistan has officially signed a protocol to begin construction work on its first low-power nuclear power plant (LPNPP). The signing took place in the presence of Azim Akhmedkhadjaev, Director of the Atomic Energy Agency of Uzbekistan (Uzatom), and Nikolay Spassky, Deputy Director General and Director of International Activities at Rosatom, a Russian state corporation.
The agreement, signed between Uzatom’s Nuclear Power Plant Construction Directorate and Atomstroyexport, Rosatom’s engineering division, paves the way for the initial steps of the project. This development marks the beginning of Uzbekistan’s journey towards nuclear energy, with direct work on-site expected to commence shortly.
Otabek Amanov, Head of the NPP Construction Directorate at Uzatom, emphasized the importance of this milestone, stating, “Today’s signing marks the transition to active work on Uzbekistan’s first SNPP. We will soon begin construction work at the site.”
Pavel Bezrukov, Director of Nuclear Power Plant Projects for Central Asia at Atomstroyexport, explained that the protocol confirms both parties’ regulatory and financial commitments. He added that Rosatom’s engineering team has started developing the necessary documentation to secure a license for the placement of the plant, with preliminary survey work already underway.
Preliminary efforts on the SNPP project began earlier this summer. In June, the first project headquarters meeting took place at the future NPP site, outlining priority tasks to ensure timely progress. By the end of August, work had commenced on creating a temporary camp for workers involved in the project.
In addition to the construction, Uzatom noted the broader impact the project will have on the region, stating, “This is the first step in the comprehensive development of the area around the NPP. New cultural, educational, and medical institutions will be established, attracting residents and boosting economic growth in the region.”
The agreement for the construction of the NPP was initially signed on May 27 during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Tashkent. The facility will be built in the Jizzakh region, near Lake Tuzkan, and will feature six reactors with a combined capacity of 330 MW, based on Russian technology.
