Deputy Director of the Management Company for Construction of Nuclear Power Plants in Uzbekistan Otabek Amanov told journalists in April about the progress of the design and construction of the small-scale NPP.

According to him, environmental components are currently being monitored at the main site of the future small NPP, including meteorological, hydrological and geological ones.

“The key task is to obtain the necessary licenses. We must prepare environmental impact and safety reports (EISR). We must have time to prepare all the documentation in time,” explained Otabek Amanov. “For example, manufacturing of one reactor takes three and a half years. Without all the licenses and timely payment, we will not be able to obtain it. If we do not meet the schedule, we will lose our facility. Each contract is now an important link in our large project. If we enter into a contract for the physical protection system of the future plant, we receive from this contract the initial data that will be used to design the plant itself. That is, each link is very closely connected to the other. A lag in one link will lead to a delay in the entire project."

In parallel, design documentation is being developed. The preparation is being carried out by the general contractor’s subcontractor - Atomstroyexport, and the general design entity - Atomenergoprom. All of them are part of the Russian state corporation Rosatom.

Work has recently begun on the priority facilities of the nuclear power plant - this is the construction and installation base, the first start-up complex, as well as the construction of a camp for builders.

"We are currently discussing supply contracts for nuclear fuel," said Otabek Amanov.

According to him, the fuel for the future NPP will be supplied by TVEL. The fuel cycle at the nuclear power plant will be about five to six years for one unit, after which this fuel will become unusable.

He added that negotiations includes a clause on the use of local uranium for fuel production. There are also agreements - Navoiuran is ready to supply raw resources, Russian companies are ready to produce fuel for the nuclear power plant from Uzbek uranium.

"The Russian authorities have not yet told us the prices with or without Uzbek uranium, but according to our rough calculations, using our uranium will reduce the fuel price by 30%," added Otabek Amanov.

"The small-scale NPP is an important strategic facility of the country that needs to be secured, which is required by international guarantees. The IAEA has special recommendations on how to build a protection system. We will take them into account. We hope that soon we, together with the Ministry of Defense, the National Guard and other bodies, will develop certain technical requirements and sign this contract," the deputy head of the directorate noted.

“In Uzbekistan, power is generated mainly by thermal power plants using natural gas. Until recently, these figures were about 80-85% of total generation. Thanks to our president, a big step has been taken towards green energy - wind and solar power plants are being erected. Their share is increasing,” Otabek Amanov noted.

However, he noted, depending on one source of electricity for the safety of the energy sector “is not good.”

“We must definitely diversify power production. We must develop renewable energy sources and nuclear power plants. Particular attention is now being paid to hydroelectric power plants,” Otabek Amanov noted. He also emphasized that, in addition to the small nuclear power plant, the construction of another nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan is at the discussion stage.

Otabek Amanov also commented on the negotiations with Chinese companies that voiced intentions to join the project.

"They can take on certain auxiliary facilities, but not the nuclear island itself. Cooperation with Hungarian companies is also planned for the supply of cooling system technologies," emphasized the deputy head of the Directorate for the Construction of Nuclear Power Plants in Uzbekistan.

"We are trying to create a bold international project with the participation of companies from different countries that will provide the best conditions - price, quality, safety," said Otabek Amanov. "Local companies will create the infrastructure near the small nuclear power plant, that is, Uzbek organizations will build roads, lay pipelines and power lines."

No contracts have been signed yet for this work, since the design documentation is currently under development.

The implementation of the NPP project is going as per schedule, he emphasized. The Management company is also actively negotiating the training of local qualified personnel to work at the plant.