Uzbekistan Seeks Global Partnership for Nuclear Energy Project

On February 10, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan convened a meeting to assess the progress in the country's nuclear energy sector and establish future objectives.

Key discussions focused on the expansion of renewable energy, with plans to add 25 gigawatts of capacity over the next five years. This expansion is expected to generate 64 billion kilowatt-hours of green energy annually, The Caspian Post reports citing foreign media.

Additionally, Uzbekistan aims to increase the share of renewable energy to more than 50% of its total electricity production by 2030, aligning with the country's broader goals of transitioning to more sustainable energy sources.

Azim Ahmadkhodjayev, director of Uzatom, discussed the sector’s prospects in an interview with Uzbekiston 24 TV following the meeting. He noted that by 2040, the share of nuclear energy in global electricity production could rise from 9% to 25%. He also recalled that Uzbekistan signed an agreement last year with Rosatom to build a 330 MW small-scale nuclear power plant in Jizzakh.

“Our president emphasized that this project should have an international character, with the involvement of various international organizations,” he said. In addition to Russian technologies, the project will integrate Chinese non-nuclear technologies and European software and hardware.

“To implement this project, we will create an international consortium using the most advanced technologies,” Ahmadkhodjayev added.

To reduce water consumption, the project may incorporate dry coolers from Hungarian or Chinese manufacturers.

Uzatom has also developed a cooperation program with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to train specialists and ensure safety in nuclear energy projects. Ahmadkhodjayev noted that the president has instructed officials to explore alternative approaches for similar projects in the future.