Uzbekistan declares nuclear energy indispensable for its future

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzatom Director Azim Ahmedkhodjaev stated at the "Obninsk NEW" youth nuclear forum on Friday that nuclear energy is "indispensable" for the future of Uzbekistan. The country plans to build both small modular reactors and large power units, a combination that Rosatom itself describes as unprecedented.

Speaking to several hundred young nuclear specialists from more than 70 countries, Ahmedkhodjaev presented three arguments in favor of the nuclear choice: energy security, technological development, and economic growth. "Ninety percent of our energy system runs on coal and gas," he said, adding that given the current growth rate of the economy and population, simply expanding traditional generation will not suffice.

Uzbekistan intends to build two types of reactors — the RITM-200 and RITM-1000. Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev called this combination "a very interesting experiment being implemented for the first time in the world."

Ahmedkhodjaev also reported that the world's largest technology companies are looking into the sites of Uzbek nuclear power plants to house data centers powered by small modular reactors. "Despite any geopolitical complications, leading global companies are already closely monitoring the project in Uzbekistan," he said.

According to the Uzatom director, the nuclear program is important not only as a source of electricity. The country expects to gain engineering personnel, research competencies, and a place in high-tech production chains through it. "Nuclear energy is not only about electricity generation. It is also about the development of engineering potential," he stated.

Unlike a number of countries where nuclear projects face public resistance, the program in Uzbekistan is supported by state structures, academic circles, and rural communities, Ahmedkhodjaev said. Likhachev mentioned that Rosatom opened a representative office in Uzbekistan even before the contract was signed, at the request of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

A similar picture is observed in Kazakhstan. Almasadam Satkaliev, chairman of the Kazakh atomic energy agency, stated that in the 2023 referendum, villages showed the highest level of support for nuclear development. Kazakhstan has concurrently announced the construction of the Balkhash nuclear power plant, also in partnership with Rosatom.

The forum took place in Obninsk, where the world's first grid-connected nuclear power plant began operating in 1954. According to the organizers, more than 600 participants gathered in person, while the online audience exceeded one million viewers. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced plans in a video address to build nearly 40 new power units with a total capacity of 30 gigawatts.

IAEA Deputy Director General Mikhail Chudakov reported that global nuclear capacity is projected to triple by 2060, with 30 percent of the new capacity coming from small modular reactors.

Ahmedkhodjaev's speech was preceded by a story from Muhiddin Nomidov, a student at the Tashkent branch of MEPhI. His path into the industry was guided by his grandfather, a chemist who worked his entire life in the Uzbek nuclear industry. "The development of the nuclear industry is not just a massive technological project. It is a whole new era for our region," Nomidov said.

Diana Gamzova from Kazakhstan, a member of Rosatom's "Team 2050" youth advisory council, announced that the "Nuclear Ecological Camp" project will expand to Tashkent this year, in partnership with MEPhI and Uzatom.