Rosatom eyes 2027 for Uzbek large reactor construction

Two small modular reactors (SMRs) are already under construction at the site in the Jizzakh region, where the first concrete for the foundation slab was poured in May. The slab is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

"This small-scale facility, which will be located here, is a unique, state-of-the-art small nuclear power plant project on the planet, and the only one in the world currently being implemented using an export model," noted Alexey Likhachev.

Two 1,000 MW units are also planned to be located near to the smaller units. Rosatom said engineering surveys and design refinements are currently under way at the site, with work expected to enter full-scale operation next year.

"More than 1,000 people are already working here, and the workforce will double at least in the coming months," Likhachev said. Rosatom has said it intends to outsource a significant portion of the general construction work to Uzbek companies.

Long-lead equipment is being manufactured in parallel, Rosatom said: a reactor vessel for one SMR has already been manufactured. Recruitment of operating personnel for the first SMR unit is planned to begin by the end of 2027, and a "nuclear city" designed to accommodate 33,000 residents in its first phase is to be built near the plant.

Training of qualified nuclear energy specialists and cooperation on the residential development - to feature energy-efficient housing, modern educational, healthcare and sports facilities, along with other amenities - were also discussed during a meeting between Uzbekistan President President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Likhachev.

Background

A contract for the construction of a 330 MW capacity nuclear power plant featuring six units of the RITM-200N water-cooled SMR - which is adapted from nuclear-powered icebreaker technology was signed in May 2024, during a visit to Uzbekistan by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The first 55 MWe unit was scheduled to go critical in late 2029 with units commissioned one by one.

In 2025, a supplemental agreement to the contract covered the decision to change the plans to comprise two gigawatt-scale VVER-1000 units and two SMRs. This increased the proposed capacity to more than 2,100 MWe, compared with the previous 330 MWe.