NUCLEAR EDUCATION IN RUSSIA
2026-03-24 17:17

Russia and Uzbekistan Sign Roadmap for Cooperation in Nuclear and Related Fields

On March 24, a Roadmap for cooperation in nuclear and related fields between Rosatom State Corporation and the Atomic Energy Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzatom Agency) was signed in Tashkent. An additional agreement to the contract for the construction of a nuclear power plant was also signed. The documents were signed by Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom State Corporation, and Azim Akhmedkhadzhaev, Director of the Uzatom Agency.

The roadmap covers all key areas of cooperation under the NPP construction project, including personnel training, public awareness about modern nuclear technologies, and the development of a future nuclear city adjacent to the plant. The signing of the roadmap demonstrates that the partnership between Russia and Uzbekistan in the nuclear sector is comprehensive in nature, while the nuclear industry provides an impetus for the development of many spheres of life.

At the same time, concrete works began at the NPP construction site in the Farish District of the Jizzakh Region as part of the construction of a small-scale nuclear power unit with a RITM-200N reactor. The start of concrete works was marked by Pavel Bezrukov, Vice President and Project Director for the NPP Construction Project in the Republic of Uzbekistan at JSC Atomstroyexport (the engineering division of Rosatom State Corporation), and Abdizhamil Kalmuratov, Director of the Directorate for NPP Construction in the Republic of Uzbekistan. During the implementation of a set of works to prepare the concrete base for the reactor building — scheduled for completion in April 2026 — approximately 900 cubic meters of concrete mixture will be poured. Upon completion of this stage, the foundation base for the reactor building will be levelled, and waterproofing and grounding systems will be installed. The next key milestone at the construction site will be the pouring of the first concrete for the reactor building’s foundation slab.

In advance of the concrete works, a permit was obtained to use the site for the placement of two power units, each equipped with a RITM-200N reactor unit. This important decision allows the formalization of the selected site and enables the commencement of full-scale construction of the small modular nuclear power plant according to the approved combined NPP configuration. The permit was issued in compliance with national regulations and the requirements of international safety standards.
“The signing of the roadmap and the agreement for the construction of integrated nuclear power plant, as well as the first concrete works at the site that followed immediately afterwards, mark Uzbekistan’s entry into the forefront of the global nuclear power industry.” The country is launching a unique project that will contribute to socio-economic growth and strengthen technological sovereignty for decades to come. For Rosatom, project in Uzbekistan is another important step in the development of global nuclear energy and in strengthening friendly relations with our strategic partners”, Alexey Likhachev emphasized.
The supplementary agreement to the contract, signed together with the roadmap, provides for a new integrated configuration of the NPP. The project will include two large-capacity power units based on Generation 3+ VVER-1000 reactors and two power units with RITM-200N reactors, each with a capacity of 55 MW. When the nuclear power plant reaches full capacity, it will generate about 17.2 billion kWh per year, providing up to 14% of Uzbekistan’s total electricity consumption. The implementation of the project will be an important step in deepening strategic cooperation between the two countries.

Reference

On May 27, 2024, during an official visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Uzbekistan, a protocol on amending the intergovernmental agreement on cooperation between the two countries in the construction of a nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan was signed in the presence of the Heads of State of Russia and Uzbekistan. The essence of amendments is to expand cooperation for the construction of a Russian-designed small nuclear power plant (SNPP) in Uzbekistan. IOn the sidelines of the event, JSC Atomstroyexport (the engineering division of Rosatom State Corporation) and the Directorate for NPP Construction under the Atomic Energy Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan also signed a contract for the construction of a small nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan. On June 20, 2025, on the margins of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Rosatom and the Uzatom Agency signed an agreement on the basic terms for implementing a project to build a large-capacity nuclear power plant in the Republic of Uzbekistan that will include modern VVER-1000 reactors.

The NPP design with VVER-1000 reactor units developed by Russian engineers is currently operating successfully in a number of countries. In particular, the four power units of the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant in China are recognized year after year as among the safest in the world according to a number of indicators. The first two power units of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in India have already supplied 100 billion kW⋅h of electricity to the country’s power system, demonstrating performance above design parameters.

The integrated model (two large-capacity power units based on Generation 3+ VVER-1000 reactors and two power units with RITM-200N reactors with a capacity of 55 MW each) will ensure base-load generation through large-capacity units, while peak demand will be covered by smaller units. The shared plant infrastructure, which will be used jointly for both categories of units, will help optimize resources during both construction and operation.

On May 13, 2025, Rosatom’s Machine-Building Division began manufacturing reactor equipment for the SNPP in Uzbekistan: a 205-ton ingot of special alloy steel was cast, from which the reactor vessel for the future RITM-200N reactor will be manufactured.

Russia continues to develop international trade and economic cooperation with foreign partners. Major international projects in the energy sector are being implemented. Rosatom State Corporation is actively involved in this work.