Uzbekistan begins construction of small nuclear plant
Russia exports nuclear expertise as Uzbekistan pioneers land-based deployment of marine-tested reactor
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (MNTV) — Uzbekistan has launched construction of a small nuclear power plant (SNPP) in partnership with Russia, marking a major milestone in its shift toward nuclear energy.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the site’s construction and assembly base took place on April 15 in the Jizzakh region, the country’s Atomic Energy Agency (Uzatom) announced.
The SNPP will be built using Russian RITM-200N reactors, a land-based adaptation of the RITM-200 technology previously deployed in Russia’s nuclear icebreakers.
Though the reactor has a proven track record in marine applications, the Uzbek project will be the first of its kind on land and outside Russia, with a similar pilot currently underway in Russia’s Yakutia, one of the coldest regions in the world, Gazeta.uz reports.
The project, implemented by Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom through its engineering arm Atomstroyexport, will involve six low-capacity power units, each producing 55 MW, for a total capacity of 330 MW. Uzbek contractors will also contribute to the development.
The construction and assembly base will house administrative offices, production units, storage facilities, and large-scale assembly shops.
Officials say it will play a crucial role throughout the multi-year construction process.
“The SNPP will be a reliable source of environmentally friendly energy,” said Otabek Amanov, deputy head of the nuclear plant directorate.
“Compactness, safety, and efficiency make the RITM-200N an ideal solution for the region’s sustainable energy needs.”
Rosatom project director Pavel Bezrukov emphasized that the plant would provide Uzbekistan with a steady supply of electricity for decades.
“This project forms the energy backbone of regional development,” he said, adding that engineering documentation is already being prepared.
Despite concerns that Uzbekistan may be serving as a testing ground for the new land-based technology, Uzatom chief Azim Ahmedkhadjayev dismissed such fears.
“This is not an experiment,” he said. “The RITM-200N is a reference reactor — a proven design adapted from the marine sector for land use. The operating principle remains the same.”
He added that the only modification is the reactor’s adaptation for ground installation, distinguishing the ‘N’ variant from its marine predecessor.
Discussions on nuclear energy development have gained momentum in Uzbekistan in recent years.
In March, the placement and construction of a larger nuclear plant was reviewed at a presidential meeting.
Uzbekistan and Russia first agreed to build a large-capacity nuclear power facility in 2019.
However, in May 2024, during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Uzbekistan, the focus shifted to a smaller-scale project as the first step.
Officials in Tashkent have described the SNPP as essential for the country’s accelerated economic development, with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev calling it “vitally important” for energy security.
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