Сeremony took place in Farish district of Jizzakh province to mark the start of construction on the first power unit of an integrated nuclear power plant Thursday, the press service of the Nuclear Energy Agency (Uzatom) said in a statement.
The ceremony took place via a video link connecting the construction site in Uzbekistan with St. Petersburg. Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin granted authorization to begin construction.
A symbolic pouring of the "first concrete" was carried out at the site of the future plant, marking the official start of the project's construction.
According to the press service of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed his gratitude to Vladimir Putin and Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), for their personal support and attention to the project's implementation.
He also specifically thanked the Uzbek and Russian specialists involved in creating the country's first nuclear power plant for their joint work and high level of professionalism.
The President noted that the implementation of the project marks the beginning of "a new stage in the technological, industrial, and scientific development of Uzbekistan, laying the foundation for the development of a new industry—nuclear energy. It combines the latest achievements in small modular reactor generation and major baseload power."
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, delivered a welcoming address to the participants of the event.
Azim Akhmedkhadjayev, Director of the Uzatom, along with the leadership of the Rosatom State Corporation, briefed the ceremony attendees on the progress of the project.
Following the reports, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Azim Akhmedkhadjayev, Rosatom executives, Rafael Grossi, and students from the Tashkent branch of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Russia) pressed a symbolic button to officially launch the construction of the integrated nuclear power plant's first power unit.
The integrated nuclear power plant will become a "symbol of the country's new technological era—an era of energy independence, industrial growth, and environmental safety," he added.
"Under the wise leadership of President Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan is confidently stepping into the forefront of global energy, strengthening its sovereignty, and opening new horizons for innovative development. We are not just building a power plant; we are laying the foundation for a new era of prosperity, technological leadership, and well-being for future generations of Uzbeks," the head of Uzatom stated.
During the initial phase, 133 cubic meters of concrete mix were poured. The total volume of concrete will exceed 10,000 cubic meters. Uzatom noted that according to international IAEA standards, the pouring of the first concrete officially grants the site the status of an atomic power plant under construction.
The decision was made during a committee board meeting after the design documents, technical solutions, and safety justification materials underwent a comprehensive review at the Scientific and Technical Center for Radiation and Nuclear Safety.
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