Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 10 June the Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov held a meeting with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi in Vienna (Austria).

At the meeting, it was emphasized that Uzbekistan closely cooperates with the IAEA on all aspects of the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes. The issues of consistent continuation of cooperation in this direction were discussed.

Rafael Grossi on his X (formerly Twitter) page stated: “The IAEA is ready to continue to support Uzbekistan in its plans to introduce nuclear energy, in particular small modular reactors.”

At the end of May 2024, Uzbekistan and Russia entered into an agreement on the construction of a low-power nuclear power plant according to a Russian project in Uzbekistan.

The agreement provides for the construction of a nuclear power plant in the Jizzakh region with a capacity of 330 MW, including up to 6 reactors of 55 MW each. The amount of the project is not reported.

The general contractor for the construction will be Rosatom, and local companies will also be involved.

The project is based on the latest development of Russian technology - the RITM-200N pressurized water reactor, the result of adapting an innovative technology for marine use for land use. Thermal power of RITM-200N is 190 MW, electrical power - 55 MW, service life - up to 60 years.

Reactors of the RITM-200 series have successfully passed tests on Russian nuclear icebreakers in the Arctic, which confirms their reliability and efficiency.

The press service of Rosatom reported that the first unit of a low-power nuclear power plant (LNP) in Uzbekistan is planned to be launched at the end of 2029. According to representatives of the Russian company, completion of all blocks is planned by 2033.