Russia to build large 2-gigawatt nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan

Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom is set to build two large power units and two smaller ones in Uzbekistan, according to an announcement made during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), held from June 18 to June 21 in Russia. The agreement outlines the basic terms for the construction of a large-capacity nuclear power plant (NPP), as reported by the Russian news agency RIA Novosti.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak stated that both sides had already discussed the project’s economic parameters. Rosatom is expected to construct two 1,000-megawatt power units and two smaller units of 55 megawatts each, according to Spot.uz.

Previously, in the spring of 2024, Rosatom and the Uzbek Nuclear Energy Agency (Uzatom) agreed to build a small NPP in the Jizzakh region consisting of six 55-MW reactors, with a total capacity of 330 megawatts. At the time, Uzatom CEO Azim Akhmedkhodjayev noted that Rosatom was selected due to its experience with similar projects.

However, the original plans have since been revised. By May 2024, the intended capacity for the small NPP was reduced from 330 megawatts to 110 megawatts, effectively cutting the number of reactors from six to just two.

In October 2024, Uzbekistan’s Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov confirmed that the construction would begin with the smaller reactors, though the country still requires a large-scale power plant. Uzbekistan also aims to increase the share of renewable energy sources to 40% of its power mix by 2030.

Another notable development at SPIEF was the signing of a roadmap between Russia and Kazakhstan, outlining cooperation on building Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant.