Uzbekistan and Russia are actively negotiating the construction of two nuclear power plants - a large 2 GW facility and a smaller 110 MW station, Fergana reports, citing Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak’s remarks at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2025).
“We’re discussing the specific economic parameters: two units of 1,000 MW and two units of 55 MW,” Novak clarified during a panel session at the forum.
The updated configuration of the project was previously unveiled at the Tashkent International Investment Forum (June 9–12). Unlike earlier plans, the new proposal envisions the parallel construction of both a large and a small nuclear power plant, each with two energy blocks.
Key Project Details:
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Large NPP: 2 GW total capacity (2 × 1,000 MW). This revised version replaces the initial concept, which envisioned two 1,200 MW units.
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Small NPP: 110 MW capacity (2 × 55 MW), to be built near Lake Tuzkan in the Farish district of Jizzakh Region.
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Construction Timeline: The first concrete pour for the small plant is scheduled for Q2 2026.
According to Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev, Russia is preparing comprehensive proposals on the technical design, financing models, and localization options to support the project.
Likhachev also confirmed that Uzbekistan will finance the small nuclear plant, with no Russian loans currently under discussion.
Background:
The foundation for this collaboration was laid in December 2017, when Uzbekistan and Russia signed a nuclear energy cooperation agreement. The original plan aimed to build a nuclear power plant with two 1,200 MW reactors, targeting completion of the first unit by 2028, at an estimated cost of $11 billion.
A new phase of the partnership was formalized in May 2024 during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s official visit to Tashkent. During the visit, the two countries signed a contract for the design and construction of the small NPP.
The nuclear energy initiative is expected to strengthen Uzbekistan’s energy security, boost industrial development, and support the country’s broader transition toward sustainable energy solutions.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
June 20, 2025