Russia and Uzbekistan signed a 'roadmap'; the works have already begun.

Today, in the capital of Uzbekistan, a new era of energy cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan was formalized: the general director of Rosatom, Aleksej Lihačov, and the director of the Uzatom agency, Azim Ahmedhadžajev, signed a comprehensive roadmap and an additional agreement that enables the construction of a nuclear power plant

Thus, already today—in the Farish district of the Jizzakh region—the first concrete construction works began: the foundation stone and pouring of concrete for a small-capacity nuclear power plant (SMR).

What sets the project apart is its integrated configuration. Uzbekistan did not choose between a high-capacity reactor and a small modular reactor, but plans to build both at the site: two large-capacity VVER-1000 units (light-water reactors cooled and moderated by light water, with a capacity of 1000 megawatts, 3+ generations) for a stable baseload; and two small-capacity RITM-200N units (55 MW each, also light-water cooled reactors) to compensate for so-called peak demand swings in consumption. 

When the complex operates at full capacity, it will produce 17.2 billion kilowatt-hours per year, enough to cover about 14% of Uzbekistan's total energy consumption.

It is planned that by April 2026 the concrete base for the reactor building will be completed, into which about 900 cubic meters of mixture will be poured. The next major step, the so-called “first concrete” for the foundation slab, is expected shortly after.

We also note that the roadmap does not foresee only reactors, as it includes the construction of the so-called “nuclear city” adjacent to the station itself, the training of thousands of specialists, and intensive public information throughout the entire process. Additionally, we point out the exceptional speed of implementation: from Putin’s visit in May 2024. When the first information about future construction emerged to the first concrete in March 2026, less than two years had passed, which is exceptionally fast.

We also highlight the so-called technological mix, which is not very common: shared infrastructure (roads, grid, security) potentially reduces construction and operation costs, but we again remind of the immaturity of small modular reactor technology as well as the potential unprofitability compared with large-capacity reactors. Therefore, we would call this move a cautious bet: if the technology of small modular reactors does not experience the expansion expected and forecasted, Uzbekistan will be left with a large-capacity reactor.