For several years, Uzbekistan has been deciding whether to build a nuclear power plant. Finally, this year, the discussions concluded. On May 27, during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Uzbekistan, documents were signed for cooperation between the two countries in the construction of a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) on the country's territory.
The reached agreement, V. Putin stated, "opens the possibility for the construction of a small nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan using modern Russian technologies, which, I emphasize, meet the strictest safety and environmental protection requirements."
At a meeting of the heads of the Uzbek Atomic Energy Agency "Uzatom" and the Russian state corporation "Rosatom" in Jizzakh, a protocol was signed on the procedure for the entry into force of the contract for the construction of a six-block SMR.
The construction of the station will be carried out by companies from Uzbekistan under the supervision of "Rosatom," which will be the general contractor.
The new station is planned to be commissioned gradually and modularly from 2029 to 2033. The small nuclear power plant will be equipped with RITM-200N reactors, which are used in nuclear icebreakers.
The cost of the project is not disclosed, as this information is confidential.
According to "Uzatom," the construction of the SMR should begin in the fall. If the nuclear power plant begins construction, it will be the first nuclear power plant construction in all of Central Asia.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
June 28, 2024