Rosatom - The Times Of Central Asia

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Nuclear power

Rosatom Looking for Customers in Turkmenistan

Russian state atomic energy company Rosatom has been selected to build one nuclear power plant (NPP) in Kazakhstan, is building one hybrid NPP in Uzbekistan, is in talks about constructing small reactors in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and is now trying to sell its products to Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan is an unlikely customer, as the country has gas-fired thermal power plants (TPP) and the fourth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world to fuel these electricity plants. However, increasing Western sanctions on Russia that followed Moscow’s decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine have greatly curtailed Rosatom’s ability to sign new contracts in the West. That has led Rosatom into Central Asia, and it appears the Russian company sees the Central Asian states as attractive customers. Turkmenistan: A Gas and Electricity Exporter Turkmenistan exports some 35 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas to China annually, and about 9 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity to Afghanistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan combined. The Turkmen authorities are looking to increase the volumes they sell and add to the list of purchasers. Turkmenistan has ten large TPPs, 254 megawatts (MW) or more, and several dozen smaller TPPs around the country. Turkmenistan’s 2022 census showed the population of the country was slightly more than seven million people, but according to other sources, the figure should be closer to five million or lower. For most of Turkmenistan’s 35-year history as an independent country, electricity was free for citizens, and while that was abolished in 2019, the price remains relatively cheap compared to most countries. That said, Turkmenistan’s people are accustomed to power outages, mostly due to aging infrastructure. But the country does have ample supplies of domestically-produced electricity for its needs, especially if the transmission network were to be fully repaired and modernized. The Rosatom Pitch On November 3-5, Ashgabat hosted an international conference and exhibition on the “Development of the Construction, Industrial, Chemical, and Energy Sectors of Turkmenistan.” Representatives from more than 100 companies from 13 countries attended the event. Rosatom was there, presenting a range of projects involving atomic energy. Dmitri Konstantinov, the Deputy Director of Rosatom’s Central Asia office, said, “We would like to introduce our partners from Turkmenistan to Rosatom and share information about the modern technologies and projects we offer.” Konstantinov explained that even countries with abundant energy resources need to diversify their energy mix. State corporation Turkmengeology reported on Konstantinov’s sales pitch and noted his comments on “small-capacity units.” Konstantinov said Rosatom is looking at other areas of cooperation with Turkmenistan, and mentioned help in building wind farms and in nuclear medicine. Turkmen visitors to the Rosatom stand at the exhibition included Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Baymyrat Annamammedov, Energy Minister Annangeldy Saparov, and Construction and Architecture Minister Abdulla Geldiyev. From the Caspian to the Tien Shan Rosatom is competing for NPP contracts in Central Asia as the company works to expand a portfolio that already includes projects in 57 countries worth more than $200 billion. Rosatom won the...

Uranium Reserves

Kazakhstan Uranium Reserve Planned by End of 2027

Kazakhstan, the world’s largest uranium producer, plans to create a state strategic uranium reserve by the end of 2027 to secure fuel supplies for its future nuclear power plants. Deputy Prime Minister and National Economy Minister Serik Zhumangarin announced the deadline at a government meeting on November 3. The country’s nuclear development strategy calls for reserving at least 150,000 metric tons of uranium by 2050. Atomic Energy Agency Chairman Almassadam Satkaliyev said on November 2 that the reserve could include deposits left underground, physical stocks of natural uranium, and manufactured nuclear fuel. The government has not announced how much material will be held in each form or how the reserve will be financed. Most of Kazakhstan’s uranium output is exported. In 2026, national uranium company Kazatomprom signed new supply contracts with energy companies in China and India. The company is also exploring six sites covering more than 1,000 square kilometers and plans to begin exploration at the Kyzyltu site. Kazakhstan approved the construction of its first plant under the new nuclear program in an October 2024 referendum. Its longer-term plans envisage at least three plants operating by 2050, reintroducing nuclear generation into an electricity system still heavily dependent on coal. The first plant, Balkhash, is planned near the village of Ulken in the Zhambyl district of the Almaty region. Russia’s Rosatom will lead construction of the two-reactor facility, with a combined generating capacity of 2.4 gigawatts. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with commissioning provisionally expected in 2037–2038. China National Nuclear Corporation has been selected to lead the second project, Moyynkum, in the same district near Lake Balkhash. Kazakhstan plans to sign an intergovernmental agreement on the project by the end of 2027. For a third nuclear power plant, it is considering Kurchatov in eastern Kazakhstan and a location in the west of the country, although no final site has been announced. Kazakhstan’s vast uranium deposits do not eliminate the need for international partners to produce reactor fuel. Natural uranium must undergo further processing, including enrichment to make it suitable for the planned reactors, before being manufactured into fuel assemblies, or bundles of fuel rods. Kazakhstan already produces these assemblies at the Kazakh-Chinese Ulba-FA fuel assembly plant in Oskemen. The facility reached its annual design capacity of 200 metric tons of low-enriched uranium in fuel assemblies in 2024. It supplies Chinese reactors using manufacturing technology from France’s Framatome and uranium enriched in Russia.

Nuclear Energy

Two Locations Considered for Kazakhstan’s Third Nuclear Power Plant

Kazakhstan is considering two possible locations for its third nuclear power plant: the city of Kurchatov in the east of the country and an as-yet-unspecified site in western Kazakhstan. Almassadam Satkaliyev, chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency, outlined the options at a parliamentary committee meeting on November 2, according to Kazinform. He said a medium-capacity plant of 300 to 600 megawatts is being considered. In addition to generating electricity, it could supply heat and desalinate water. The potential sites were identified through preliminary studies; a final location has not yet been selected. Kurchatov, in the Abai region, supported operations at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site during the Soviet era and is now home to Kazakhstan’s National Nuclear Center. In western Kazakhstan, the BN-350 fast-neutron reactor in Aktau operated until 1999, generating electricity and desalinating water. “Western Kazakhstan has unique experience operating a reactor. Kurchatov is a city of nuclear specialists. All the necessary expertise is available,” Satkaliyev said. In the October 6, 2024, referendum, 71.12% of participants voted in favor of building a nuclear power plant. In April 2026, Kazakhstan adopted a nuclear industry strategy calling for at least three plants to be operational by 2050. The first plant, Balkhash, is planned near the village of Ulken on the shore of Lake Balkhash, in the Zhambyl district of the Almaty region, with the involvement of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom. The project calls for two reactors with a combined capacity of 2.4 gigawatts. The first reactor is expected to enter service in 2034. Satkaliyev said engineering surveys at the Balkhash site are nearing completion, with construction scheduled to begin in 2027. Preparatory work began in August 2025. The same district has been selected for the second plant, provisionally named Moyynkum. China National Nuclear Corporation is the preferred contractor for the project. According to estimates cited by Satkaliyev, more than 10,000 workers will be needed at the peak of construction of a single plant with two reactors, and about 1,800 specialists will be needed to operate it. The government approved a comprehensive plan on September 23 to train personnel for the nuclear industry in 2027–2031. It provides for updated curricula, training and internships, and the development of educational infrastructure and international cooperation. In 2025, six universities in Kazakhstan were training specialists for the nuclear industry, with about 1,000 students enrolled in related engineering programs. Kazakhstan is also planning a state strategic uranium reserve to fuel its future nuclear power plants. Satkaliyev said the nuclear industry strategy calls for reserving at least 150,000 metric tons of uranium by 2050. The reserve could include uranium deposits left underground as well as physical stocks of natural uranium and nuclear fuel. The mechanisms for creating the reserve are still being developed.

Nuclear Energy

Japanese Firm Backs Uzbekistan’s Nuclear-Powered Data Center Project

Uzbekistan's first nuclear power plant, now under construction in the Jizzakh region, is primarily a Russian project. Rosatom is supplying the reactors, and Atomstroyexport, part of its engineering division, is the main contractor. But at the first summit of the Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue in Tokyo in December 2025, a Japanese company agreed to cooperate on a related project: a 50-megawatt data center that could become the first in the world powered entirely by a small modular nuclear reactor. What Russia Is Building The plant in the Forish district will combine two large VVER-1000 reactors with two smaller RITM-200N reactors, for a total capacity of just over 2.1 gigawatts. Uzbekistan's nuclear energy agency, Uzatom, has estimated the maximum contract value at $9.5 billion. Initial concrete work began in March 2026, while the first concrete for the small reactor's foundation was poured in June. The first small reactor is expected to start up in 2029, while the two larger reactors are scheduled for 2033 and 2035. Japan's Role? On December 20, 2025, at the summit, Uzatom signed a memorandum of understanding with Muroosystems Corporation. This Tokyo-based company, founded in 2006, specializes in information technology infrastructure and renewable energy. It expanded into nuclear engineering through its acquisition of a German company, NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services (NUKEM), in 2024. Through NUKEM, Muroosystems plans to provide nuclear safety assessments and engineering services, alongside technical consulting that includes owner's engineer support. These services are intended to support the project in line with international best practices and International Atomic Energy Agency requirements. The cooperation agreement also covers the proposed nuclear-powered data center, involving Uzbekistan's Ministry of Digital Technologies. There is an interesting history behind NUKEM's involvement. The German company was previously owned indirectly by Atomstroyexport and remains based in Germany, although it has been Japanese-owned since September 2024. The Data Center Itself The project involves a data center with an estimated power demand of 50 megawatts. According to DatacenterDynamics, it is expected to receive its normal electricity supply through a direct line from one of the Russian-made RITM-200N reactors, each capable of generating 55 megawatts, rather than from the national grid. Public announcements do not specify how backup power would be provided during reactor maintenance or shutdowns. Combining a Reactor With a Data Center The rationale, outlined by NUKEM, is straightforward. The data center would receive a stable, round-the-clock power supply. In return, the nuclear power plant would gain a steady customer whose high demand could be met through a direct connection, potentially improving the use of its generating capacity. The project also fits into Uzbekistan's efforts to develop artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure. In September 2026, the country opened new AI-capable data centers in Bukhara and Kokand, while state telecommunications operator Uztelecom announced an agreement to distribute Amazon's satellite internet services. A Pattern, Not an Isolated Case Muroosystems' involvement in Central Asia is not limited to Uzbekistan. The Japanese company has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Nuclear Center of...

Nuclear power

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan Coordinate on Nuclear Plant Safety

Uzbekistan is building its first nuclear power plant and preparing a second, while Kazakhstan intends to build at least three. Central Asia’s two largest economies are entering nuclear power at almost the same time. Even before their first reactors come online, the two countries are beginning to coordinate on safety and environmental monitoring, including potential transboundary impacts. On August 21, representatives of the two countries met in Tashkent and agreed on the main areas of further cooperation, including a road map and follow-up steps. The meeting came four days after a new announcement by Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. On August 17, he said preparations were under way for a second nuclear power plant, although the country’s first nuclear complex in the Jizzakh region is only at the initial stage of construction. The location, capacity, timetable, and technology partner for the new plant have yet to be announced. Uzbekistan’s nuclear project has expanded considerably over the past two years. In 2024, Tashkent and Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom agreed to build a small nuclear power plant with six 55 MW RITM-200N reactors. The configuration was later revised to an integrated plant in the Forish district of the Jizzakh region, comprising two large VVER-1000 units and two small RITM-200N reactors. The complex will have a total capacity of about 2.1 GW. Construction formally began on June 4, 2026, when concrete was poured for the first reactor unit. A technical launch of the first small reactor is planned for late 2029, while the first large unit is expected to begin operating in 2033. The entire complex is expected to be operational by 2035. Official projections of annual generation range from about 15.4 billion to 17.2 billion kWh. Rapidly growing electricity demand is driving discussion of a second plant. Uzbekistan needs more generating capacity as industry and new urban projects grow and the population approaches 40 million. Natural gas remains the backbone of power generation, but the government is also expanding solar and wind energy. Nuclear power is intended to provide baseload electricity around the clock, regardless of weather conditions. Kazakhstan is the world’s largest uranium producer and has the world’s second-largest uranium reserves, but it currently has no operating commercial nuclear power reactors. In a nationwide referendum in October 2024, voters approved the construction of a nuclear power plant. The country’s first plant is planned near the village of Ulken on the shore of Lake Balkhash, with Rosatom selected to lead the international consortium for the project. A nuclear industry development strategy approved in April 2026 calls for Kazakhstan to have at least three nuclear power plants by 2050. It also covers nuclear science and workforce training, along with the management of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. China National Nuclear Corporation has been selected to build Kazakhstan’s second plant; in July 2025, Roman Sklyar, then the country’s first deputy prime minister, said China would also build the third. The April 2026 strategy is less specific, however, and lists small modular...

Nuclear Energy

Uzbekistan Plans Second Nuclear Power Plant Before First Is Ready

Uzbekistan will soon begin preparations for the construction of a second nuclear power plant (NPP), President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced during an August 17 visit to Khorezm region. The announcement came a little more than two months after construction officially began on the country’s first NPP. The authorities have not yet disclosed where the new plant will be located or how much capacity it will have. They have also not named a technology partner. Discussing energy in connection with new industrial projects, Mirziyoyev said investors need an acceptable electricity price and a guarantee of uninterrupted supply. Uzbekistan is building its first NPP with the participation of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom. On June 4, first concrete was poured for the foundation of the first unit of the integrated NPP in Farish district, Jizzakh region, officially marking the start of construction. Mirziyoyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the project by video link. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi also participated in the ceremony. The project itself has changed considerably over the past two years. In 2024, Uzbekistan and Russia agreed to build a small nuclear power plant with six RITM-200N reactors, each with a capacity of 55 MW. Tashkent later decided to combine small modular and large-scale nuclear generation at a single site. Under the current configuration, the Jizzakh project will have two large VVER-1000 units and two small RITM-200N units. The complex will have a total capacity of 2.11 GW and is expected to generate about 15.4 billion kWh of electricity annually. The first small reactor is expected to come online in 2029. The first large unit could begin operating in 2033, with the entire complex expected to be commissioned by 2035. Plans for a second NPP come as electricity demand is rising rapidly. Uzbekistan’s 2020–2030 electricity plan aimed to raise annual generation from 63.6 billion kWh to 120.8 billion kWh by 2030. A more recent government forecast puts electricity consumption at 121 billion kWh by 2035. Some of the growing demand is expected to be met by solar and wind power. Nuclear energy is intended to provide baseload generation, including for industry. Mirziyoyev specifically linked preparations for the second plant to investors’ need for a stable electricity supply. Uzbekistan is therefore expanding its nuclear program before its first reactor has entered operation. The country is continuing to develop the infrastructure and expertise needed for the new industry. Following a June review, the IAEA said Uzbekistan had made significant progress but needed to complete work on its nuclear regulatory body and finalize feasibility studies. So far, Mirziyoyev has said only that preparations for the second NPP will begin. Its cost, timetable, capacity, and technology have not been announced, nor has a potential contractor been named. The first NPP involves long-term cooperation with Russia’s nuclear industry. Rosatom is participating in the project, which will use its reactor technology. Mirziyoyev said in June that Uzbekistan planned further nuclear power projects with Russia, but whether the same model will be used for the second plant or Tashkent will consider...