Putin, Mirziyoyev launch construction of first nuclear power unit in Uzbekistan PHOTO

President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev have launched the construction of the first power unit of an integrated nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan.

The launch ceremony was held via video link and was also attended by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, Caliber.Az reports, citing Uzbek media. 

Mirziyoyev said nuclear safety would remain an “absolute and unconditional priority”, stressing that the project is being developed in line with the highest international standards and under continuous oversight from the IAEA.

Putin said Russia would not only construct the plant but also provide preferential export financing, alongside long-term support over the full lifecycle of the facility. This includes reactor fuel supply, maintenance services, and the management of spent nuclear material.

He added that the start of foundation work for the first unit signals the transition of the project from planning into implementation, describing it as one of the largest nuclear developments in the region.

Andrey Petrov, First Deputy CEO for nuclear energy at Rosatom, said excavation work began in October last year, with concrete base preparations for the reactor building starting in March. He added that the project team is now “fully ready” to proceed with first concrete.

The head of Uzatom said all preparatory stages had been completed and that the project had received a construction licence from the country’s industrial radiation and nuclear safety authority.

The planned small-scale nuclear power plant in the Jizzakh region is expected to generate contracts for Russian companies worth up to 2 trillion roubles ($24.7 billion), according to project estimates.