Uzbekistan has recently stated that the construction and preparatory work on the site for its first-ever small modular reactor is progressing, thanks to the ongoing relationship with Russia. The nation is one of only a handful of countries that still does business with Moscow, following the vast majority of the nations across the world all but cut ties with Russian energy companies due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Uzbekistan’s President paid a visit to the site to determine the progress being made on what will be a unique nuclear facility that combines large and small-scale reactors.
Uzbekistan’s first-ever nuclear energy plant is heading towards commissioning
Uzbekistan is aiming to develop its first-ever nuclear facility that will boost the nation’s standing in the international energy market. The nation’s President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, paid a visit to the Jizzakh region, where the nuclear energy plant will be constructed, to determine the progress being made and to identify any potential issues that may arise during the construction phase.
Excavation work for the necessary pit for the site began way back in October of 2024, and since then, the project has advanced towards a 2026 completion date. Uzbekistan’s first nuclear energy plant will feature two Russian RITM-200N small modular reactors working alongside two VVER-1000 reactors in a unique partnership pairing small and large reactors.
The project has significant importance for Uzbekistan’s nuclear energy ambitions
As the plant will be the nation’s first-ever SMR, the President noted the strategic importance of the project and said that the visit to the Jizzakh region was to “identify new growth points in the region and ensure their implementation … the region’s potential has grown many times over, and people’s attitudes toward life and work have changed significantly”.
“Preparations are taking place for the construction base: levelling the area, concreting, and installing reinforcement. A temporary residential complex has been built for the construction workers”. – Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev
Russia desperately needs the project to boost its energy portfolio
Following the latest sanctions on Russia and its energy companies, the nation has been furiously searching for energy projects in nations that are still willing to do business with Moscow. The new facility will feature two Russian-made VVER-1000 reactors, providing some much-needed relief for the Russian energy company Rosatom. Global forecasts project that reactor capacity could increase significantly over the coming years.
With construction work underway, reports state that approximately 1.5 million cubic metres of soil will be excavated during the digging of a pit 13 metres deep required for the relevant engineering surveys to take place. Another concept that has emerged is that a “mono-city” will be constructed to house the workers on-site during the construction and operational phases.
“Plans were presented for localising the production of construction materials required for the nuclear power plant, as well as for expanding personnel training in higher educational institutions. The concept for constructing a mono-city for the specialists of the future plant and their families was also shown. The town, located 16 kilometres from the plant under construction, will be designed for 10,000 residents and will include all necessary infrastructure, social facilities, and service amenities.” – Uzbekistan Presidential news service
A new era of nuclear energy generation has emerged from the sea of energy possibilities
Uzbekistan’s first nuclear facility exemplifies the global shift in energy production as the vast majority of nations are aiming to decarbonize the energy industry. Climate change is an issue that affects us all, regardless of political affiliations. In order to reduce carbon emissions, the energy sector will need to develop more energy projects that do not rely on the conventional fossil fuel-based energy production of oil and gas. With the US also revealing its plans to boost nuclear energy production, the future of the energy industry is changing.
