The technical launch of Uzbekistan’s first small modular reactor (SMR) is scheduled for October or November 2029. Azim Ahmedkhodjaev, Director of the Nuclear Energy Agency (Uzatom), announced this timeline during an interview with the YouTube channel Alibaev.Politika.
According to the director, the second small modular reactor is slated for commissioning six months after the first. Looking further ahead, Uzbekistan intends to launch its first large-scale nuclear reactor in 2033, with the final completion of the entire nuclear power plant megaproject projected for 2034–2035.
"We fully recognize that a nuclear power plant is not just any ordinary industrial factory; it demands a highly serious approach," Ahmedkhodjaev stated. "The President requires us, above all else, to strictly adhere to international safety standards. That is why IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) experts regularly visit our site. We have two scheduled evaluation missions this year alone."
The chief of Uzatom emphasized that while the project is moving forward on schedule, there is a clear understanding that "you cannot rush" when it comes to constructing a nuclear facility.
"This is a nuclear power plant built to serve for decades to come," Ahmedkhodjaev stressed. "Its entire lifecycle depends directly on doing everything absolutely right and in full compliance with global standards."
According to the director, the nuclear power plant will have a total capacity of 2,110 MW and will be capable of generating up to 17 billion kWh of electricity per year.
For context, Uzbekistan’s power grid currently has an installed capacity of around 30 GW, with an annual output exceeding 80 billion kWh. Consequently, the future 2.1 GW nuclear plant will account for less than 8% of the country's installed capacity, yet it will supply nearly 20% of its current electricity generation, the agency director noted.
"In other words, under current conditions, 8% of capacity will yield 20% of production," he explained.
Azim Ahmedkhodjaev also recalled that at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to advancing its nuclear energy sector.
"We are confident that once the initial small-scale phase of the plant is successfully implemented and operational, we will receive the green light to move forward. By continuously developing nuclear installations and technologies, we will secure a substantial and well-deserved share in our country’s overall energy mix," the head of Uzatom stated.
In late September, the involved countries signed documents defining the configuration of the future nuclear power plant in the Farish district of the Jizzakh region. The project will feature four power units co-located on a single site: two 1 GW VVER-1000 reactors and two 55 MW RITM-200N reactors. This combined deployment has no parallel anywhere in the world.
In October last year, Abdujamil Kalmuratov, Director of the NPP Construction Directorate, described the project as unique. According to him, the initial timeline aimed for first power generation starting in 2029, with commercial generation launching within two years, by the end of 2031.
"We intend to commission the large-scale nuclear power units in 2033 and 2035. Accounting for the warranty periods, we will have an additional two years covered by the manufacturers, according to experts. After that, the facility will be fully handed over for operations," he explained.
Uzatom chief Azim Ahmedkhodjaev also shared that the base construction cost for the integrated nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan will not exceed $9.5 billion. While the state budget will fund a certain portion of the project, it will be financed primarily through credit facilities.
