Belarus eyes role in Uzbekistan’s first nuclear power plant project

According to the Belarusian Ministry of Energy, Akhmedkhadjaev met with Belarusian Energy Minister Denis Moroz on August 5 to discuss cooperation.

Uzatom noted that the visit was organized “on the instruction of the president of Uzbekistan, with the aim of thoroughly studying Belarus’s experience in the construction and operation of nuclear power plants, and applying this knowledge in the implementation of Uzbekistan’s first NPP project.”

During the meeting, the two sides discussed key areas of cooperation in the nuclear energy sector, including the integration of a large-scale NPP into the national energy system, experience in setting up physical protection systems, handling spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, and strategies for public engagement in nuclear projects.

Minister Moroz stated that Belarus is open to cooperation and ready to share its expertise in the nuclear field.

“We welcome Uzbekistan’s decision to join the club of countries using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and to implement a national nuclear program,” he said.

He added that if Uzbekistan is interested, Belarus could potentially participate in the construction of a nuclear power plant in the country. During the visit, the Uzatom delegation is also expected to tour the Belarusian NPP and identify potential areas of cooperation with Belarusian specialists.

Uzatom reported that the Belarusian side provided information on the infrastructure developed to support NPP construction and operation. They also shared insights into the organization of rotational housing settlements, construction of a dedicated town for NPP staff, and efforts to localize production.

Minister Moroz emphasized that the construction and commissioning of the Belarusian NPP had not only strengthened the country’s energy security, but also spurred rapid development in related sectors – such as the electrification of residential areas for heating, expansion of electric transport, and the implementation of innovative projects in key economic sectors.

“The nuclear power plant has served as a springboard for Belarus to reach a new technological level,” he said.

He further underlined that the Belarusian NPP meets all major international standards and stressed that safety is a top priority for the station.

For his part, Azim Akhmedkhadjaev described Belarus’s experience in constructing and integrating a nuclear power plant into the national energy grid as advanced and highly successful.

“We view Belarus as one of our main partners, aiming to maximize the use of your practical experience. For us, your country’s achievements in developing production cooperation with domestic industries, localizing supply chains, and involving Belarusian companies in the project are of great significance. Such experience plays a crucial role in building an industrial base to support nuclear energy development in Uzbekistan,” Akhmedkhadjaev stated.

“Our country launched the first Belarusian nuclear power plant with a capacity of 2,400 megawatts in 2023. Today, nearly 40% of the electricity consumed in Belarus is generated at this NPP. The companies that successfully contributed to the construction of the Belarusian NPP are now actively participating in Rosatom’s joint foreign projects. I am confident that Belarusians could also contribute to the NPP project in Uzbekistan,” said the Belarusian energy minister.