Russia and Uzbekistan Sign Nuclear Power Station Roadmap, Begin Concrete Works

Russia and Uzbekistan signed a roadmap for nuclear cooperation as initial concrete was poured in preparations for the first small modular reactor at Uzbekistan's first nuclear power plant. Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev and Uzatom Director Azim Akhmedkhadjayev put their signatures to two documents on March 24: the cooperation roadmap and a supplementary agreement formalizing the plant's expanded, integrated configuration. Ceremonies were held simultaneously in the capital Tashkent and at the construction site in the Farish district of Jizzakh region.

The supplemental agreement covers the decision to build two gigawatt-scale VVER-1000 units and two 55 MWe RITM-200N small modular reactors. The original plan had been for the plant to feature six SMRs; the new design pushes total capacity to more than 2,100 MWe, compared with the previous 330 MWe. The integrated plant project combines large and small generation, which will make it possible to provide baseload power and flexibly cover peak demand, as well as optimize costs through shared infrastructure.

Rosatom confirmed that initial concrete pouring work has begun at the site in the Farish district, as part of construction of the small nuclear plant unit housing an RITM-200N reactor. Pavel Bezrukov, Vice President and Project Director for the NPP Construction Project in Uzbekistan at JSC Atomstroyexport, and Abdijamil Kalmuratov, Director of the Nuclear Power Plant Construction Directorate, initiated the pour. During this stage, around 900 cubic metres of concrete mixture will be poured to prepare the foundation for the reactor building, with completion scheduled for April 2026. The works accomplish leveling, waterproofing, and grounding of the base. The next stage will be the pouring of the first concrete for the foundation slab of the reactor building. This summer, construction of the reactor building is planned to commence.

Likhachev framed the moment in unambiguous terms. "The signing of the roadmap and the agreement for the construction of the 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," he said. "The country is launching a unique project that will contribute to socio-economic growth and strengthen technological sovereignty for decades to come. For Rosatom, the project in Uzbekistan is another important step in the development of global nuclear energy and in strengthening friendly relations with our strategic partners."

Uzatom Director Azim Akhmedkhadjayev stated on March 24 that the small nuclear plant construction project is proceeding strictly according to schedule. He emphasized that the project is under the personal oversight of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, with regular progress reports provided. President Mirziyoyev requires all work to adhere to three principles: safety, use of modern technologies, and full compliance with IAEA standards.

Official approval has already been obtained for placing the two RITM-200N units on the selected site, allowing full-scale construction of the small nuclear plant within the approved integrated configuration. The approval complies with national regulations and international safety standards.

The roadmap covers all key areas of cooperation on the NPP construction project, including personnel training, public awareness of modern nuclear technologies, and the creation of a future "nuclear city" at the plant. Rosatom described the signing as confirmation of the comprehensive nature of cooperation between the two countries, with the project expected to support long-term economic growth and technological development.

On the energy impact, Uzatom said the plant will generate approximately 15.4 billion kWh per year once fully operational, accounting for more than 15% of Uzbekistan's total electricity consumption. Rosatom's own figures place annual output at around 17.2 billion kWh, providing up to 14% of Uzbekistan's energy consumption. The discrepancy in projections reflects differing methodologies between the two agencies, though both point to the plant becoming the single largest contributor to Uzbekistan's electricity supply.

The two countries' presidents spoke by phone on Tuesday, noting the signing of the roadmap and the progress being made for the first SMR unit at the site in the Jizzakh region, according to a Kremlin statement. The launch of the power units is planned for 2029 to 2035, making the April foundation completion and the summer 2026 reactor building start critical near-term milestones for keeping that schedule intact.