Uzbekistan Nuclear Plant Cost Set at US$9.5 Billion

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The construction of an integrated nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan is expected to cost USUS$9.5 billion, according to the director of the Agency for Atomic Energy under the Cabinet of Ministers, Azim Akhmedkhadjaev.
Speaking in an interview on June 4, the head of the agency said the figure represents the base contract price and serves as the maximum cost ceiling. The contract was signed on March 24, 2026.

He noted that the calculation does not yet include the planned level of localization, which is expected to reach 30% through the involvement of domestic manufacturers, potentially reducing overall project costs.

Akhmedkhadjaev said the selected configuration—two large and two small reactors on a single site with shared infrastructure—was proposed on the initiative of the president and is aimed at optimizing costs.

Under the project parameters, the facility will include two power units with VVER-1000 Generation III+ reactors and two units with RITM-200N reactors with a capacity of 55 MW each. The total capacity of the integrated plant will exceed 2.1 GW.

Uzbekistan plans to attract between 85% and 90% of the project’s total financing through credit resources. Negotiations are expected soon with the BRICS New Development Bank, which has already expressed interest in participating. Consultations with other international partners are also ongoing. Part of the funding will be covered by the state budget on a credit basis.

According to Uzatom estimates developed jointly with Big Four consulting firms, the total fiscal effect of the project could exceed USUS$165 billion, including tax revenues and the development of related industries.

Meanwhile, the regulatory framework for the project continues to evolve. The Committee for Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety under the Cabinet of Ministers has issued a construction license for the RITM-200N reactor unit.

The decision followed a comprehensive review of project documentation involving international experts, including specialists from Russia’s Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety. The assessment took into account national legislation, international practice, and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommendations.

Construction of the nuclear power plant is underway in the Jizzakh region. Excavation work for the RITM-200N reactor building began in October 2025, followed by initial concrete works for the foundation in March 2026.