Uzbekistan May Consider Construction of a Second Large-Capacity Nuclear Power Plant

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan may explore the possibility of building a second large-capacity nuclear power plant if a corresponding decision is made, Azam Akhmedkhadjayev, Director of the Agency for Atomic Energy under the Cabinet of Ministers (“Uzatom”), stated on 23 December during a public hearing.

“At the moment, we have no such plans. However, site assessments conducted by international organizations and design institutes have shown the possibility of accommodating additional units. Considering the country’s growing electricity consumption, we could add two more large power units if the decision is made. Currently, the plan includes two small and two large reactors,” Akhmedkhadjayev noted.

He added that, should the project be expanded, Uzatom would undertake additional work in this direction. “The surveyed site demonstrates the feasibility of such placement,” the director emphasized.

The planned integrated nuclear power plant in Jizzakh Region initially included two large Russian-designed VVER-1000 units. According to the updated placement scheme, the number of large-capacity units could increase to four. Each unit is planned to have two cooling towers.

Additionally, the site will host a small modular reactor RITM-200N, a construction and assembly base, a meteorological platform, waste disposal facilities, a radiation monitoring system, and an open-air 500 kV and 220 kV switchyard. Road and rail connections will also be established to serve the plant.

The potential increase of large NPP reactors to four is included in Uzbekistan’s energy balance strategy through 2040. According to the Ministry of Energy, nuclear generation will enter the country’s energy system for the first time in 2030 with an installed capacity of 0.3 GW.

By 2035, capacity is expected to rise to 2 GW, and by 2040, nuclear power is projected to reach 4 GW, surpassing coal generation in installed capacity.