Tashkent and Moscow Sign Agreement to Explore Large Nuclear Power Plant

Uzbekistan’s Atomic Energy Agency (Uzatom) and Russia’s Rosatom have signed a new cooperation agreement on the potential construction of a large-capacity nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan, Orda.kz reports, citing Gazeta.uz.

The project envisions two VVER-1000 power units, with the possibility of expanding to four. The small nuclear power plant project has been modified. Instead of the initially planned six nuclear reactors of 55 MW each (330 MW total), it is now planned to install two reactors (a total of 110 MW).

The deal was signed at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum by Uzatom director Azim Akhmedkhadzhayev and Rosatom head Alexey Likhachev. It outlines key terms for constructing a high-power plant in addition to an earlier project for a small modular reactor.

As Gazeta.uz notes, the title of the document differs from what Rosatom initially reported. The Russian company had announced the signing of an agreement “On the main conditions for implementing a project to build a large-capacity nuclear power plant in the Republic of Uzbekistan.”

The Uzbek Atomic Energy Agency “Uzatom” later reported that an agreement was signed with “Rosatom” to explore the possibility of constructing a large-capacity nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan.

A decision will be made on whether to move forward with construction, which, according to Uzatom, would logically follow the development of the country’s small modular nuclear plant (SMR).

Likhachev said combining large and small reactors could help form a “carbon-free energy cluster” and support Uzbekistan’s growing energy needs.

Rosatom is already manufacturing equipment for the first SMR unit in Jizzakh Region. 

The first small unit in Uzbekistan is expected to go online by the end of 2029.