Rosatom Director General Visits Uzbekistan, Discusses Construction of the First Integrated Nuclear Power Plant

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Alexey Likhachev, Director General of the Rosatom State Corporation, paid an official visit to Uzbekistan on 27 January 2026.

The central event of the visit was a meeting with President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, during which the parties discussed the construction of the country’s first integrated nuclear power plant in Jizzakh Region.

Alexey Likhachev reported that active work on excavation for the small modular reactor has been underway since October 2025, while the first concrete works are scheduled for March 2026, significantly earlier than initially planned.

The sides noted the dynamic development of Uzbek–Russian cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear energy and emphasized the unique nature of the project. For the first time in the world, both large-capacity power units (VVER-1000) and small-capacity reactors will be built simultaneously on a single site. This complex is already being considered as a demonstration platform for advanced nuclear technologies.

Nuclear power was highlighted as a key element of Uzbekistan’s strategy to increase the share of “green” energy to 52 percent by 2030.

As part of the visit, working meetings were also held with Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khojayev and Director of the Agency for Atomic Energy under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan (Uzatom) Azim Akhmedkhadjaev. During these discussions, specific tasks, milestones, and implementation timelines for the project were agreed upon.

All works are being carried out strictly according to schedule and in full compliance with international nuclear safety standards, including the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Special attention was given to the application of peaceful nuclear technologies beyond electricity generation, including medicine (diagnostics and treatment), agriculture (processing of seeds and products), industry, and science.

Alexey Likhachev also presented plans to establish a nuclear cluster on the basis of the power plant, bringing together energy production, scientific research, high-tech manufacturing, and social projects to support comprehensive regional development.

Human resource development remains a key area of cooperation. The parties agreed to continue and expand training programs for young specialists from Uzbekistan at the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI and other Rosatom-affiliated educational institutions, as well as to further develop the MEPhI branch in Tashkent.

Alexey Likhachev’s visit reaffirmed the strength of the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Russia in the nuclear sector.

The agreements reached open new opportunities to enhance energy security and improve the well-being of both countries.