Rosatom launches first export project for small modular reactors in Uzbekistan

The Russian state corporation Rosatom has revised its nuclear power plant project in Uzbekistan. Under the updated plan, the country will now host both large and small-capacity nuclear power plants. This announcement was made by Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development following a working group meeting held during the Tashkent International Investment Forum, aimed at expanding trade turnover between Russia and Uzbekistan, according to Interfax.

The meeting was attended by Maxim Reshetnikov, Russia’s Minister of Economic Development, and Laziz Kudratov, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade.

“Last year, construction of a small modular nuclear power plant was launched. This year, the heads of state agreed to reshape the project to include a large-capacity plant with two reactor units, as well as a small-capacity plant, also with two units,” the ministry’s statement read.

At the end of April, Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev told reporters that the state corporation planned to lay the foundation for the small nuclear plant in Uzbekistan within a year, or possibly even sooner. At that time, when asked about the prospects of building a larger plant, Likhachev noted that if Uzbekistan’s leadership approved the idea, Rosatom already had proposals prepared, not only regarding the technical design of the future facility, but also on financial models and approaches to maximum localization.

The project to construct a small nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan is notable for being Rosatom’s first such export initiative. The two sides reached an agreement in the spring of last year, followed by the signing of a protocol in the fall, outlining project design and documentation work.

The plan includes the construction of six reactors, each with a capacity of 55 megawatts (MW). Construction is expected to begin this summer, and the plant will be commissioned in stages between 2029 and 2033.

The Uzbek side will finance the project; the possibility of a Russian loan has not been discussed.