Central Asian country Uzbekistan formally begins implementation of their first ever nuclear power project. The project envisages the construction of two Generation III+ Russian VVER-1200 power units. The first power unit is scheduled to be commissioned before the end of 2028.
Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Alisher Sultanov and Director General of ROSATOM Alexey Likhachev inaugurated the study of one of the potential sites in the country yesterday, October 19. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Russia Vladimir Putin, joined the event through a videoconference from the Uzbek capital Tashkent.
Leaders of the two countries pressed a symbolic button, launching drilling operations at the construction sites to collect soil samples. Few sites were primarily selected based on the results of seismological, geological, ecological and economic feasibility studies.
“The creation and development of the nuclear power sector, initiated by the the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, marks a new era for the country’s energy industry and which will stimulate stable economic development and will help increase quality of life of the people,” noted Alisher Sultanov.
Alexey Likhachev said, “History of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Russia in the nuclear field is more than half a century long, and we are proud that Uzbekistan chose Russian technologies for the construction of the first NPP in the country. In Uzbekistan ROSATOM will build the most advanced Generation III+ nuclear power plant with two VVER-1200 power units that meets all international safety requirements.”
Moreover, both the countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on formation of positive public opinion towards nuclear energy in Uzbekistan. The document lays the foundation for bilateral cooperation to promote nuclear power in Uzbekistan and create awareness about modern nuclear energy technologies, to train national media representatives, organize and hold joint conferences, and implement social and educational projects in Uzbekistan.