Nuclear Energy Project in Uzbekistan Enters Construction Phase

Uzbekistan has entered a new phase in its energy strategy as construction begins on the country’s first small-capacity nuclear power plant. The announcement was made during the INNOPROM. Central Asia industrial exhibition, held on April 28 in Tashkent, according to the presidential press service. The event, hosted at the Central Asian Expo Uzbekistan center, spans more than 18,000 square meters and has attracted over 10,000 delegates from Russia, neighboring Central Asian countries, China, India, and other nations. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev toured the exhibition pavilions and emphasized the importance of innovative business ideas and economic cooperation. He noted that the forum serves as a platform to advance new projects and strengthen long-term partnerships. Nuclear Power in Focus On the sidelines of the event, President Mirziyoyev met with a Russian delegation led by First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. The sides reviewed progress on bilateral agreements made during Putin’s visit to Uzbekistan in May 2024 and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. A central topic of discussion was Uzbekistan’s nuclear energy project. Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev confirmed that all legal formalities have been completed and that construction could officially begin within the year. “Not if, but when the leadership of Uzbekistan returns to the topic of a large nuclear power plant, we will already have proposals ready, not only on the design of future facilities but also on financing and local manufacturing,” Likhachev told TASS. “This project will be carried out through international cooperation, drawing on global best practices in electrical and mechanical engineering. However, the core nuclear technologies, the reactor island, will be Russian,” he added. Project Overview The plant is located in Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh Region and will consist of six reactors, each with a capacity of 55 megawatts, for a total output of 330 MW. While Rosatom serves as the main contractor, local Uzbek companies are also involved in the construction process. Officials say the project is a strategic step toward Uzbekistan’s long-term energy security. Azim Akhmadkhodjaev, head of Uzbekistan’s Atomic Energy Agency, recently called nuclear energy the most viable alternative to imported fossil fuels. He noted that Uzbekistan aims to increase the share of renewable energy in its national mix from 16% today to 54% by 2030. China is also playing a significant role in Uzbekistan's nuclear energy project. Shanghai Electric, a leading Chinese manufacturer, is being considered for providing turbine equipment for the non-nuclear island of the plant. Additionally, the Export-Import Bank of China (Eximbank) is in discussions to provide financial support. Energy analysts agree that a combined strategy of nuclear and renewable sources will allow Uzbekistan to meet rising domestic demand while reducing its environmental footprint.

Rosatom Considering Constructing Nuclear Power Plant in Northern Kyrgyzstan

Representatives of the Russian company Rosatom announced at a briefing that a low-capacity nuclear power plant may be built in Kyrgyzstan's northern Chui region. According to them, a preliminary feasibility study has already been developed. According to Rosatom, the company's specialists have studied the seismic potential of southern Kyrgyzstan and concluded that there are many faults in the earth's crust. This fact is reason enough not to build the plant in the south of the country. In contrast, Kyrgyzstan's north is less prone to seismic fluctuations. “The most suitable location for this project is the northern Chui oblast [region], where seismicity is the lowest. But we have not been able to name a specific site so far. A detailed study is needed. There are places in Kyrgyzstan where a nuclear power plant can be built, but not many,” said Dmitry Konstantinov, general director of Rosatom's Russian representative office in Kyrgyzstan. He said many parameters must be considered when choosing a construction site. These include seismic activity, remoteness from population centers, power lines, and a water source needed to cool the plant. Rosatom stated that the design for the small nuclear power plant potentially being built in Kyrgyzstan was developed by adapting shipboard small-power technology currently used in ships. Each unit at the plant would have a capacity of 55 MW, with the possibility of installing up to six units, allowing the plant’s total capacity to reach 300 MW. For comparison, by 2025, Kyrgyz authorities aim to achieve a capacity of 400 MW (excluding the nuclear plant) through the completion of large hydroelectric power projects. Two years ago, a memorandum on constructing a low-capacity nuclear power plant was signed between Bishkek and Moscow. Since then, the Russian company has been working on a feasibility study and studying land plots for the plant's construction. According to the head of the representative office, serious discussions are continuing with the republic's authorities. “The decision to build a nuclear power plant in Kyrgyzstan will be made by the people together with the government. And we, for our part, will provide all the necessary information and technology to make it objective. We will inform the population about our technologies and decisions so that they feel safe,” emphasized Konstantinov. Rosatom signed a memorandum with Uzbek authorities on constructing a small nuclear power plant earlier this year. According to the Russian company, construction has already begun, and the first power unit may operate in 2029. On October 6, Kazakhstan will hold a popular referendum on constructing a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan. Among the most likely candidates for construction are companies from Russia, China, South Korea, and France.