Uzbekistan has announced its intention to expand cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency to implement the country's first small-scale nuclear power plant project. At the 69th general conference of the agency, representatives of the Uzbek delegation held talks with Deputy Director General Liu Huang, during which they discussed details of future construction and prospects for cooperation with international partners.
The country expressed interest in deepening technical cooperation, which should ensure the successful implementation of the project, which covers not only energy, but also the use of nuclear technologies in medicine and agriculture. Representatives of the agency noted that Uzbekistan demonstrates significant progress in the development of a peaceful nuclear program, thereby confirming its readiness for large-scale technological steps.
In May 2024, the first export contract was signed in Tashkent for the construction of a small nuclear power plant with a capacity of 330 megawatts in the Jizzakh region. The project provides for the installation of six RITM-200N reactors, each of which is designed for 55 megawatts. The site has passed the necessary research and has been recognized by the relevant authorities as safe for construction.
Construction work is scheduled to start in March 2026. The implementation of this project will allow Uzbekistan to strengthen its energy independence, reduce the burden on traditional sources of generation and create a basis for long-term sustainable development.
