Hungary begins training nuclear energy specialists from Uzbekistan

“Uzbekistan is preparing to build a nuclear power plant, given that by 2030 the demand for electricity will double. We Hungarians are doing the same, preparations are already underway for the construction of two new power units in Paks, and since we have several decades of experience in the field of nuclear energy, we have already begun training future Uzbek nuclear energy specialists in Hungary,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

According to him, the parties agreed that if Uzbekistan signs a contract with Rosatom for the construction of a nuclear power plant, then Hungarian cooling technology will be used.

“This will be a contract worth more than $100 million, which will lead to one of the most significant energy exports from Hungary in history,” the minister said.

On May 7, within the framework of the ninth meeting of the Uzbek-Hungarian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, an Uzbek-Hungarian business forum was held. The event was attended by more than 200 representatives of the business community, heads of ministries and departments, and experts.

Trade between Hungary and Uzbekistan has increased by 86% since 2010 and last year exceeded $100 million. The heads of 29 Hungarian companies also visited Uzbekistan. Preparations are underway for the construction of a Hungarian pharmaceutical plant, and investments in the food industry of Uzbekistan are also expected. OTP Bank’s entry into the Uzbek market also creates new opportunities, and the government of Uzbekistan is allocating a special zone for Hungarian business, noted Péter Szijjártó.

Péter Szijjártó together with the Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov 

From June 30, direct flights will resume between Tashkent and Budapest. In addition, in August 2023, the parties agreed to create a joint fund. During his current visit, the Hungarian Foreign Minister announced his readiness to increase the size of the fund from 50 million euros to 150 million euros.

Uzbekistan and Hungary discussed the use of “dry” technology for cooling circulating water at large thermal power plants, including nuclear power plants, which is used by the Hungarian company Eniox, in July 2020. The Hungarian side stated that it is ready to provide financing to Eximbank of Hungary in the amount of 130 million euros with the participation of Eniox in this project.

The Paks nuclear power plant has been operating in Hungary since 1982. Starting from 2032, the planned decommissioning of its power units will begin. Now in Hungary, a project has begun to build the Paks-2 nuclear power plant of a Russian design of the “3+” generation with two power units based on VVER-1200 reactors. Its construction will begin in 2024.

The head of the Uzatom agency, Azim Akhmedkhodjayev, spoke in early May about negotiations with Russia on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan. “We are now just negotiating, general words for now, nothing concrete,” he said, noting that the parties are discussing various areas of cooperation.