Global nuclear development achieved a significant milestone on 4 June, as construction of the first power unit of an integrated nuclear power plant (NPP) commenced at a site in the Farish District of Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh Region.
The ceremony marked the pouring of the first concrete into the foundation slab of the future small modular unit within the integrated nuclear power plant project.
The ceremony was held via a live video link between the NPP construction site in Uzbekistan and St. Petersburg, where the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, authorised the commencement of construction of the integrated NPP’s first power unit.
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, delivered a welcome address to participants at the site. Progress on the project was reported by First Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy of Rosatom and President of JSC Atomstroyexport Andrey Petrov, and Director of the Atomic Energy Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzatom), Azim Akhmedkhadzhaev.
“Uzbekistan is embarking on a path of accelerated high-tech development, and it is a great honor for Rosatom to be part of this historic process. Together with our partners, we are only at the beginning of the project’s implementation, yet its significance is already evident. Once commissioned, the NPP will be capable of supplying up to 14% of the country’s electricity demand. This will provide a powerful boost to industrial, technological, and economic development. Moreover, the atomic city project that we have proposed to Uzbekistan will create an entirely new community. What grows around the NPP will be much more than a satellite town – it will be a genuine science city showcasing advanced nuclear and related technologies,” emphasised First Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy at Rosatom Andrey Petrov.
Just a few days ago, on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), participants discussed the prospects for nuclear energy development, including SMR projects and personnel training for newcomer countries. Speaking at the SPIEF, Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev outlined three key tasks facing such projects.
“We have three main tasks: to build a unique nuclear power plant, to strengthen and establish a nuclear industry in Uzbekistan, and to foster a social environment,” noted Alexey Likhachev.
The “first concrete” pouring for the reactor building’s foundation marks the transition of the facility into a status of under construction in accordance with the IAEA standards. This milestone marks the beginning of a key stage in implementing Uzbekistan’s integrated NPP project and represents a logical continuation of the long-standing cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan in nuclear technologies. As part of the “first-concrete” stage, specialists will pour 133 cubic meters of concrete mix, while the total volume of concrete required for the project will amount to 10,000 cubic meters.
Namibia is a major uranium producer and is considering the possibility of developing nuclear energy to diversify its energy balance. In this context, the country is interested in international experience, including projects involving small modular reactors. Russia and Namibia already cooperate in the nuclear field, including in the area of personnel training. In this regard, Uzbekistan’s experience in building the world’s first export SMR is of interest to Namibia as an example of successful nuclear infrastructure development based on international partnership.
