IAEA Calls Uzbekistan’s Nuclear Energy Progress Significant

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan has made significant progress in developing the infrastructure needed to implement its national nuclear energy program, according to experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) following a follow-up Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission.

The mission was conducted on 22–26 June at the request of the Uzbek government. The experts assessed the implementation of recommendations and suggestions made following the second-phase INIR mission in 2021. Such missions assess a country’s readiness to implement a nuclear power plant project, the IAEA said.

Uzbekistan decided to develop nuclear energy in 2018 to meet growing electricity demand and diversify its energy mix. Under current plans, the program includes the construction of two RITM-200N small modular reactors and two large VVER-1000 reactors.

In June, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi attended a ceremony marking the first concrete pour for the first power unit with a small modular reactor, signaling the start of construction. The unit is expected to be commissioned around 2029.

The latest mission included two international experts from Brazil and Türkiye and two IAEA staff members. They reviewed Uzbekistan’s progress in areas including the legislative and regulatory framework, nuclear and physical nuclear security, safeguards, human resources development, stakeholder engagement and environmental protection.

The experts noted that Uzbekistan had joined relevant international legal instruments, revised its national nuclear energy legislation and developed a regulatory framework for licensing and oversight.

Management systems have also been established, necessary studies of the electricity grid have been conducted and plans for its modernization have been prepared.

“Uzbekistan has demonstrated its commitment to developing a safe, secure and sustainable nuclear energy program,” said John Haddad, head of the mission from the IAEA’s Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section.

He said the country had actively implemented the recommendations and suggestions from the 2021 mission and developed the infrastructure needed to move toward the implementation stage of its program.

At the same time, the expert team said further work was needed to strengthen the capacity of the nuclear regulatory body. Uzbekistan also needs to complete feasibility studies, including technical and economic assessments, for the projects.

The mission was hosted by the Agency for Atomic Energy under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan (Uzatom). Representatives of more than 20 national organizations involved in implementing the country’s nuclear energy development program took part in the mission.

Uzatom Director Azim Akhmedkhadjaev highlighted the importance of the second-phase follow-up INIR mission in assessing ongoing work and comparing the results achieved with international standards and IAEA recommendations.

Following the mission, a preliminary report was presented to the Uzbek government. The assessment results will be taken into account when planning further IAEA cooperation with Uzbekistan, including activities aimed at strengthening national capacity.

The IAEA has supported Uzbekistan’s nuclear program for several years through technical cooperation, expert missions, seminars and training activities.

INIR missions are conducted under the IAEA’s Milestones Approach, which covers 19 infrastructure areas and three phases of developing a nuclear power program: considering the feasibility of the program, preparing for construction and construction.

Follow-up INIR missions are designed to assess the implementation of recommendations and suggestions issued after previous missions. Their findings help countries determine further steps to address identified gaps and develop their national nuclear infrastructure.