Uzbekistan prepares for second nuclear power plant

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced that preparations will soon begin for the construction of a second nuclear power plant in the country. He made the statement on 17 August 2026 during a ceremony launching new projects and commencing construction on prospective facilities in the Khorezm region, according to the presidential press service.

The President linked the development of nuclear energy to the necessity of supplying the national economy with stable, low-cost electricity, noting that potential investors prioritize electricity pricing and guaranteed supply. Mirziyoyev emphasized that securing reliable energy supplies and lowering energy costs are vital for attracting foreign investments and achieving the country's development strategy through 2030.

During his address, Mirziyoyev referenced the ongoing integrated nuclear power plant project in the Jizzakh region. The development of nuclear power in Uzbekistan was previously discussed at an international level, including during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on 5 June 2026, where Mirziyoyev reaffirmed plans to build nuclear power plants in cooperation with Russia. The President highlighted that nuclear energy is strategic for national energy security, given that electricity demand in Uzbekistan is projected to double over the next decade, while noting the country ranks tenth globally in uranium reserves and fifth in uranium production.

The ongoing integrated project in the Jizzakh region includes two large-capacity power units with Gen 3+ VVER-1000 reactors and two small modular units featuring RITM-200N reactors rated at 55 MW each, delivering a combined total capacity exceeding 2.1 GW. Earthworks at the site commenced in October 2025, first concrete works started in March 2026, and a official first-unit concrete pouring ceremony took place on 4 June 2026.

In December 2025, officials from the Atomic Energy Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan (Uzatom) indicated that the existing site in the Farish district of the Jizzakh region had been thoroughly surveyed and possesses capacity to accommodate additional high-capacity power units, offering a viable location for future nuclear expansion.