Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev are set to officially launch the construction of the first power unit of Uzbekistan’s integrated nuclear power plant on June 4 during a video conference ceremony.

The event will mark the symbolic start of one of the largest energy projects in Uzbekistan’s history, paving the way for the construction of a new nuclear energy complex designed to strengthen the country’s long-term energy security, The Caspian Post reports via UzDaily.

The project includes two large-capacity nuclear power units and two small modular units equipped with 55-megawatt reactors. The ceremony will be held at the Konstantinovsky Palace in St. Petersburg, where the two presidents will participate remotely.

A number of high-profile international and industry figures are expected to attend the event at the construction site in Uzbekistan, including International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev, and Uzatom Director Azim Akhmedkhadjaev.

According to the planned program, representatives of Rosatom and Uzatom will report on technical readiness before officials authorize the first concrete pour for the foundation of the plant’s first power unit-a milestone that formally marks the beginning of construction.

The integrated nuclear power plant is expected to become one of the flagship energy cooperation projects between Uzbekistan and Russia. In September 2025, Uzatom and Rosatom approved an updated configuration for the project, which includes two Generation III+ VVER-1000 reactors and two small modular units based on RITM-200N reactor technology.

Once completed, the facility is expected to have a total installed capacity exceeding 2.1 gigawatts, with approximately 2 gigawatts generated by the large reactors and around 110 megawatts by the small modular units.

Preparatory work is already underway in Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh region, where construction teams have begun site development and excavation work. Initial concrete work required for the reactor building foundation has also been completed, bringing the landmark project closer to full-scale construction.