Uzbekistan and Russia have officially launched construction of a major nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh Region, marking a significant milestone in the country’s long-term energy strategy and the development of nuclear power in Central Asia.
The start of construction was marked on June 4 during a ceremony attended virtually from St. Petersburg by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.
The project, located in the Forish district of Jizzakh Region near the borders of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, will become the first integrated nuclear power plant in post-Soviet Central Asia. It combines large-scale nuclear reactors with small modular reactors (SMRs) at a single site.
“The start of pouring concrete for the foundation of Unit 1 of the future nuclear power plant marks the beginning of the construction of one of the largest nuclear power plants in the region,” Putin said during the ceremony.
The event took place on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, more than two months after officials from Uzbekistan’s nuclear agency Uzatom and Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom marked the beginning of construction activities at the site.
Combined Large and Small Reactors
Under the current project design, the facility will include two Generation III+ VVER-1000 reactor units, each capable of generating approximately 1 gigawatt (GW) of electricity, alongside two RITM-200N small modular reactors with a capacity of 55 megawatts each.
According to the IAEA, the integrated project is being implemented by Uzatom in cooperation with Rosatom and forms part of a broader nuclear power program intended to diversify Uzbekistan’s energy mix and meet rising electricity demand.
Construction began with the first concrete pouring for the SMR project, a milestone that officially marks the start of building work. Preparatory excavation activities started in late 2025, while foundation work for the reactor building began in March 2026.
The first SMR unit is expected to become operational around 2029, supported by international cooperation on fuel supply and the training of plant operators.
While official statements have often highlighted the larger reactors, the smaller RITM-200N units are expected to be completed first. The first 55-megawatt reactor is scheduled to go critical in late 2029 if construction proceeds according to plan.
Plant expected to meet more than 15% of Power Demand
Once fully operational, Uzbek authorities estimate the nuclear power plant will supply more than 15% of the country’s electricity needs, generating approximately 16-17 billion kilowatt-hours annually.
The project is viewed as a cornerstone of Uzbekistan’s efforts to strengthen energy security as electricity demand continues to rise alongside industrial expansion, population growth, and the development of energy-intensive sectors.
Mirziyoyev described the launch as a transformative moment for the country. “We are ushering in a new era of technological, industrial, and scientific development for our country,” he said.
“In Uzbekistan, the foundations are being laid for the development of a new field – modern nuclear energy – an industry that symbolizes advanced scientific capabilities, cutting-edge engineering expertise, and a strategic vision for the future.”
Russia Expands Nuclear Cooperation in Central Asia
The project stems from an agreement signed by Putin and Mirziyoyev during the Russian leader’s state visit to Uzbekistan in May 2024, a deal Mirziyoyev previously described as “vital.”
Putin emphasized the strategic significance of the initiative for bilateral relations.
“The fact that Russia and Uzbekistan are implementing such a truly flagship high-tech project is a shining example of the friendship and alliance between our two countries and testifies to the successful and dynamic development of the Russian-Uzbek strategic partnership across all areas,” he said.
Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom is providing the technology for the project and is expected to support financing through a preferential export loan.
“Importantly, Russia will not only build the nuclear power plant but also provide its Uzbek partners with a preferential export loan and support throughout the plant’s entire lifecycle,” Putin said on June 4.
Uzatom Director Azim Ahmedkhodjayev said the combined cost of the project’s two small modular reactors and two large reactors is estimated at $9.5 billion. Uzbekistan is seeking to finance between 85% and 90% of the project through external borrowing, including potential support from the BRICS New Development Bank.
IAEA pledges support for Nuclear Development
The IAEA has pledged comprehensive support for Uzbekistan’s nuclear ambitions, including assistance with regulatory frameworks, nuclear and radiation safety, workforce training, and operational readiness.
During his visit to Uzbekistan, Grossi met with Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration, to discuss the country’s nuclear energy plans and broader cooperation with the agency.
Grossi also attended the first concrete pouring ceremony and reaffirmed the IAEA’s commitment to supporting the project throughout its development.
The discussions additionally covered cooperation under the IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative aimed at expanding access to cancer care in Uzbekistan.
Central Asia’s Nuclear push gains momentum
Uzbekistan’s nuclear project comes amid a broader regional shift toward nuclear energy as Central Asian governments seek reliable sources of electricity to support economic growth, industrial development, critical minerals processing, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
The development follows Russia’s agreement with Kazakhstan to build that country’s first modern nuclear power plant. The project, planned near the village of Ulken on the shores of Lake Balkhash, is expected to feature two VVER-1200 Generation III+ reactors with a combined capacity of 2.4 gigawatts.
Kazakh officials have estimated the project’s total cost at approximately $16.4 billion, including infrastructure and security expenses, with construction expected to begin in 2027 and the first reactor targeted for commissioning in early 2034.
As Central Asia advances its nuclear energy ambitions, governments across the region are increasingly balancing rising electricity demand with long-term concerns over resource management, particularly water availability, which remains critical for both nuclear power generation and the energy-intensive industries expected to drive future growth.