UzAtom head dismisses concerns over Russian influence on nuclear project

In an interview with the Alter Ego project, Azim Akhmedkhodjaev, Director of the Atomic Energy Agency, discussed Russia's involvement in Uzbekistan’s planned nuclear power plant project.

“The plant will be Uzbekistan’s property, and local specialists will be working there. There is no such thing as Russia having a button that, when pressed, would cause something to happen at this station. European countries’ software solutions may be used, and technologies from other manufacturers could be incorporated. Yes, Rosatom will be the main contractor, but they are not attempting to impose any restrictions on us. We are constructing it, and we will decide how everything should be. This process is being conducted with full transparency and openness on our part. We do not see any attempts to limit us or pressure us into anything. We communicate our concerns and ideas to them, and they are considered and discussed.

A nuclear power plant is not a tool of geopolitical influence that can be remotely switched off like a car or a satellite. It should be viewed as a project similar to the construction of any other industrial facility,” Akhmedkhodjaev stated.

The head of UzAtom also added that technologies from countries other than Russia are being examined and studied.

"Currently, American companies are actively working on small modular reactors. They have some very interesting solutions, but they do not yet have reference stations. They have just started building the first low-capacity nuclear power plant in Canada. We will be closely monitoring all these developments.

Additionally, we plan to participate in certain American programs and train specialists to work with their technologies, as they also offer promising solutions. This way, we will create diversity in our nuclear industry, incorporating both Russian and American technologies. South Korean technologies are also very interesting. All of these are small modular stations. Therefore, concerns that we may fall under the influence of one particular country are unfounded," he said.

Previously, it was reported that an international consortium is being formed to support and develop nuclear energy projects in Uzbekistan, including the construction of a small nuclear power plant in the Jizzakh region. During President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to France, negotiations were held with Assystem, Bureau Veritas, and Framatome regarding this initiative.