Uzatom and Rosatom sign agreement to build high-capacity nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan

The agreement was signed between the Uzbek Agency for Atomic Energy (Uzatom), under the Cabinet of Ministers, and Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom. The signing ceremony took place between Azim Akhmedkhajaev, Director of Uzatom, and Aleksey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, during the 2025 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

“In Uzbekistan, the small modular nuclear power plant is the world’s first export project of a modern small-scale nuclear facility. We are now working on expanding the project, aiming to build two more large gigawatt-class reactors at the same site,” said Likhachev.

According to the agreement, the parties will cooperate on a project that initially envisions the construction of two VVER-1000 power units, with the potential to expand to four units. Rosatom emphasized that the project will utilize proven Russian technology, which has demonstrated both efficiency and safety in Russia and internationally – including in China.

During the forum’s panel session, Uzatom Director Azim Akhmedkhajaev highlighted Uzbekistan's proactive stance on nuclear development:

“For Uzbekistan, nuclear energy is more than a relevant topic – we are among the few countries in Central Asia whose leader has clearly prioritized peaceful nuclear energy from the very start of his presidency. Thanks to his initiative and support, we are on the verge of a major technological breakthrough.

Today, together with our colleagues from Rosatom, we have begun work on a historic project – the construction of the country's first small-capacity nuclear power plant. At the same time, we are also exploring the integration of large reactors and small modular units, making us the first in the Eurasian region to do so. This is not only a step toward energy security, but also toward climate goals, gas replacement, and industrial growth,” he stated.

It is worth recalling that the two sides reached an agreement on constructing a small nuclear power plant in the spring of 2024. A protocol launching the project – including design and documentation work – was signed in the fall of that year.