The project to build a small-scale nuclear generation facility in Uzbekistan is gaining momentum. Construction has begun on the first buildings of the construction yard at the site. Meanwhile, Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev presented nuclear energy and electric mobility solutions to the President of Uzbekistan at the Innoprom. Central Asia international industrial exhibition.
Work began in the Jizzakh Region of Uzbekistan to set up a construction yard in preparation for the erection of a Russian-designed small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power plant with RITM-200N reactors. The construction yard will provide all necessary auxiliary facilities, including administrative and production buildings, throughout the entire SMR construction period. It will also accommodate warehouses and assembly workshops
“Rosatom’s Engineering Division continues preparing documents for the SMR nuclear power plant with RITM-200N reactors, a cutting-edge design that is based on decades of operational experience with Russian reactors. The Russian SMR project will guarantee Uzbekistan a stable supply of electricity for decades and lay a solid foundation for nuclear industry development across the entire region,” said Pavel Bezrukov, Vice President and Director for Uzbekistan NPP Construction Project at AtomStroyExport.
“This SMR nuclear power plant with RITM-200N reactors based on proven, time-tested technologies and a flawless operational record will serve as a reliable source of clean energy. Its compact size, exceptional safety, and cost efficiency make RITM-200N an ideal solution for sustainable energy development in the region,” added Otabek Amonov, Deputy Director for the Nuclear Plant Construction Project.
The SMR construction project is under close supervision by the President of Uzbekistan. In late April, Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited Rosatom’s booth at the Innoprom. Central Asia international industrial exhibition. Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev briefed the president on key technology and solutions in nuclear energy and electromobility.
Among the exhibits was a model of an onshore small-scale nuclear generation facility featuring Russian-designed RITM-200N reactors, an established technology already proven through successful use on Russian nuclear icebreakers. Uzbekistan’s SMR plant will be equipped with six such reactors.
The President of Uzbekistan was also introduced to Rosatom’s solutions in electric mobility, including a lithium-ion battery—a key component of electric vehicles—and a compact slow-charging station. Rosatom Group companies have the potential to manufacture about 60% of all parts and components needed for an electric vehicle. Currently, Rosatom is building in Russia two gigafactories for the production of energy storage systems. They will supply batteries for 100,000 electric vehicles annually. Additionally, the corporation is taking on the construction of charging hubs and a nationwide chain of EV charging stations.
Alexey Likhachev emphasized: “This year marks a landmark event as the Soviet, and later Russian, nuclear industry turns 80. This celebration is not just for Russia but also for Uzbekistan, which has made a major contribution to our shared nuclear project. Today, Uzbekistan remains one of Rosatom’s key partners across multiple areas of cooperation. The contract signed last May to construct a 330 MW Russian-design SMR nuclear power plant in the Jizzakh Region is the world’s first export contract for such a facility, clearly demonstrating Uzbekistan’s leadership in the development of low-carbon technologies and the strong, trusting relationship between our countries and peoples.”
“Uzbekistan remains one of Rosatom’s key partners across multiple areas of cooperation.”
Alexey Likhachev
Director General of Rosatom
In April, Andrey Petrov, First Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy at Rosatom and President of AtomStroyExport, paid a working visit to Tashkent. During the visit, an operational headquarters meeting was held to review progress on the SMR construction, nuclear fuel deliveries, and workforce training.
About 300 students are currently enrolled at the Tashkent branch of Russia’s National Nuclear Research University (MEPhI). The collaboration between Uzbekistan and Russia has established a unique educational infrastructure for theoretical training of SMR professionals, optimizing training costs while improving education quality. Rosatom and local institutions have jointly developed programs for Uzbek professionals to complete practical internships. Additionally, the meeting discussed prospects for constructing a larger nuclear power plant, including evaluating potential locations and assessing technical and strategic factors aimed at supporting long-term energy infrastructure development.
Photo by: Rosatom International, Engineering Division of Rosatom, Press Service of the President of the Russian Federation
