Uzbekistan, Hungary, Russia Hold Strategic Talks on First Nuclear Power Plant

Senior officials and company representatives from Uzbekistan, Hungary, and Russia have convened in Tashkent for high-level negotiations focused on advancing construction plans for Uzbekistan’s first nuclear power plant (NPP).

The discussions brought together delegates from the Uzatom Atomic Energy Agency, the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hungarian firms MVM EGI Zrt., Pólus, OTP Bank Uzbekistan, and Russia's corporations Atomstroyexport and Atomenergoproekt, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

Held as part of the preparatory phase for launching a critical stage of the NPP project, the talks centered on the integration of dry cooling technologies-specifically, the supply and production of advanced cooling towers essential for the plant’s long-term efficiency and reliability.

A major point of interest was the potential localization of production in Uzbekistan. Participants discussed establishing a joint venture within one of the country’s free economic zones to manufacture components domestically, aiming to strengthen Uzbekistan’s role in the project and stimulate industrial development.

The issue of personnel training and professional development was also high on the agenda. Representatives from MVM EGI Zrt. affirmed Hungary’s commitment to supporting Uzbekistan’s workforce needs by offering technical education, internships, and retraining programs to ensure a skilled labor force for the nuclear sector.

Officials from all sides emphasized the strategic significance of this trilateral cooperation and expressed confidence that sustained, mutually beneficial engagement would be key to the successful realization of one of the largest energy infrastructure initiatives in Central Asia.