Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  The "Construction Directorate of the Nuclear Power Plant" under the "Uzatom" Agency and "Atomstroyexport" JSC (Engineering Division of the Russian State Corporation "Rosatom") have signed a protocol to commence work on the site for Uzbekistan’s first small modular nuclear power plant (SMR).

The signing ceremony was attended by the Director of the Agency for Atomic Energy of Uzbekistan, Azim Akhmedkhadzhaev, and the Deputy General Director of Rosatom, Nikolai Spassky.

The Director of the Nuclear Power Plant Construction Directorate, Otabek Amanov, noted that the signing of the protocol marks the transition to active project phases, including the start of construction work on the site. Pavel Bezrukov, Director of Projects at Atomstroyexport for the construction of nuclear power plants in Central Asia, stated that Rosatom’s Engineering Division is beginning the development of documentation for licensing the SMR site and performing site surveys.

Project work commenced in June 2024, with the first headquarters meeting held for the SMR construction. In late August, work began on establishing a workers’ camp. This is the first step in the comprehensive development of the area, which will eventually include cultural, educational, and medical facilities, as well as industrial and commercial organizations.

The SMR project involves the construction of a plant with a capacity of 330 MW (with six reactors of 55 MW each) in the Jizzakh region. The general contractor is Atomstroyexport JSC, with plans to involve local companies. The project features the Russian RITM-200N water-water reactor, adapted for ground use, known for its compactness and shortened construction timeline.