Construction of Uzbekistan’s first nuclear power plant kicks off in Jizzakh

Excavation of the foundation pit for the reactor building of a small-capacity nuclear power plant has started in the Forish district of Jizzakh region.

At the same time, construction has commenced in Tashkent’s Mirzo Ulugbek district for a Nuclear Medicine Center.

A ceremonial event dedicated to both projects was held on October 9 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, within the framework of the Central Asia – Russia summit. At the ceremony, Uzatom director Azim Ahmedkhodjayev and Rosatom general director Alexey Likhachev symbolically pressed a button to mark the official start of both initiatives.

According to Uzatom, the first concrete for the reactor foundation is expected to be poured in March 2026.

“This major project will ensure our country’s energy independence and provide access to clean, environmentally friendly energy,” said Uzatom director Azim Ahmedkhodjayev.

“This will mark a new era for Uzbekistan’s energy independence, guarantee a stable power supply, stimulate economic growth, and create thousands of new jobs,” said Abdijamil Kalmuratov, director of the NPP construction directorate.

As previously reported, Enter Engineering has been selected as a subcontractor. According to Rosatom, nearly 1.5 million cubic meters of earthwork will be carried out for the excavation, with the foundation pit reaching a depth of 13 meters.

“The work is being performed by subcontracting organizations in Uzbekistan. Rosatom will build a plant with a minimum operational life of 60 years and will provide all necessary assistance during its operation. We are looking forward to a long-term, productive, and mutually beneficial partnership that will last for decades,” said Rosatom head Alexey Likhachev.

The small-scale NPP will consist of two RITM-200N reactors, each with a capacity of 55 megawatts. The same site will later host a larger nuclear plant with two VVER-1000 reactors, each generating 1 gigawatt. Thus, the total capacity of the entire project will amount to 2.1 gigawatts.

In the first stage, only the small-capacity reactors will be launched.

Cost of small-scale NPP estimated at under $1 billion

The project is being implemented in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA will provide expert, technical, and methodological support in preparing the regulatory and legal framework, developing national nuclear infrastructure, and ensuring safety standards during the design and operational phases.

Nuclear medicine center

The Nuclear Medicine Center in Mirzo Ulugbek district will make it possible to diagnose cancer at early stages and prevent its progression.

In the first stage, positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) will be used for early cancer detection. The center will also introduce non-invasive tumor treatment using Gamma Knife and CyberKnife technologies. In addition, a radiopharmaceutical laboratory will be established at the center.

The facility will serve as a scientific base for developing a national system for training nuclear medicine specialists. More than 100 high-tech jobs will be created for professionals in radiology, medical physics, and radiochemistry.

Between 2025 and 2026, the center will be equipped with modern medical devices as part of the first stage, while later stages will introduce radionuclide and proton therapy.

Alternative headlines:

• Uzbekistan and Russia launch construction of first nuclear power plant in Jizzakh
• Excavation begins for Uzbekistan’s small-scale nuclear power plant
• Uzbekistan takes first step toward nuclear energy independence
• Nuclear medicine center to open in Tashkent for early cancer detection
• Uzbekistan, Rosatom begin decades-long nuclear cooperation