On October 15, Otabek Amanov, the Director of the Nuclear Power Plant Construction Directorate under the Agency for the Development of Nuclear Energy ("Uzatom"), spoke about the progress of constructing a small-capacity nuclear power plant in the Jizzakh region during a press approach at the international scientific and practical conference in UMED, as reported by a Spot correspondent.

Construction of the Small Nuclear Power Plant

Currently, regime monitoring of environmental components is underway at the construction site, including aerometeorological, hydrological, hydrogeological, and seismological studies.

“Preparatory work is also being carried out on-site to initiate construction and assembly works for the workers' shift camp (which will accommodate up to 10,000 workers at maximum - ed. Spot). Additionally, we have begun work on the design of the nuclear power plant [small capacity],” he stated.

In collaboration with "Rosatom," the technical assignment for developing the design documentation for the small nuclear power plant is currently under review. Institutes have already been selected for preparing the feasibility study for the project.

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By the end of 2024, it is planned to commence work on the workers' shift camp and construction and assembly base. The establishment of the nuclear power plant necessitates the construction of a complete complex, including repair and mechanical workshops, garages for special equipment, a reinforcement shop, and concrete mixing units.

According to Uzbekistan's legislation and the recommendations of the IAEA, three primary documents are required for the construction of a nuclear power plant: permission for the site placement, as well as licenses for construction and operation. In 2025, work will continue on the feasibility study, PSVOS, and other documents, along with construction and assembly work for the workers' town.

“By the end of next year, we plan to obtain permission from our regulator for the [construction] site [of the nuclear power plant]. Additionally, we aim to complete the placement of orders for long-cycle manufacturing equipment: reactors, turbines, generators, and other large block equipment,” said Otabek Amanov.

The production of the reactor itself will take between 36 to 40 months. As a result, the commissioning of the first reactor is scheduled for the end of 2029.

Project Financing

The Director of the Nuclear Power Plant Construction Directorate discussed negotiations with several local and foreign banks regarding the financing of the small nuclear power plant project in the Jizzakh region, noting that “the necessary proposals have been submitted to the management.”

“There are banks from Europe, Russia, and local banks. Some of the infrastructure will be constructed by local contractors, and financing is planned from both local and foreign banks. The best proposals from the banks will be coordinated with the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Central Bank,” he noted, without disclosing the project's cost.

According to him, Uzbekistan is collaborating on the project with many companies, including Chinese ones. The Nuclear Island is planned to be constructed with the "daughter" of "Rosatom" - the general contractor "Atomstroyexport," with whom a protocol for the commencement of the nuclear power plant construction was signed in September.

International companies may be involved in the construction of auxiliary facilities, particularly for the supply of turbine equipment, generators, and dry cooling towers.

“We are firmly inclined to use dry cooling towers to avoid dependence on water resources. Hungarian companies are also interested, as they have very good developments and solutions for dry cooling towers. Both European and Asian companies have expressed a desire to participate in our project,” he emphasized.

Furthermore, "Uzatom" and "Rosatom" have signed agreements for the construction of the nuclear power plant, staff training, importing fuel for the nuclear power plant, operational service, and the disposal of nuclear waste. Specifically, the Russian side will export spent nuclear fuel, process it, and return some components to the republic.

At the Tashkent branch of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, around 100 students undergo training annually. Moreover, 500 individuals will be sent to Russia for two years, after which they will undergo two years of training at the local training center at the small nuclear power plant. Their training is planned to be completed by 2029.

“[The nuclear power plant will use] Uranium-235 oxide enriched to 19% or 20%. This fuel will be imported, but there is one point. It will be produced from tolling raw materials of local Uzbek uranium. This means that Uzbek uranium will be exported, fabricated, and manufactured into fuel, and then brought back. Because it will be local uranium, we hope that the cost of fuel will be significantly lower,” stated the head of the Directorate.

The Small Nuclear Power Plant - Property of Uzbekistan

Otabek Amanov emphasized that the under-construction small nuclear power plant will be entirely owned by Uzbekistan. The plant will be operated by an operator - a state company that holds a license for operation. Currently, the Directorate for the Construction of the Nuclear Power Plant serves as the operator.

According to current legislation, the energy produced at the nuclear power plant will be purchased by the state company Uzenergosotish and supplied to consumers through the "National Electric Networks."

“Currently, local company UzGASHKLITI is performing regime monitoring,” he stated. “Saneg Atom is not involved in the project, and negotiations with them are not being conducted,” Amanov concluded.

Peaceful Atom

On May 27, "Uzatom" and "Rosatom" signed a contract for the construction of a small-capacity nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan. The project is based on a Russian development - the water-water reactor RITM-200N, which is the result of adapting ship technology for land placement. The thermal power of the RITM-200N reactor is 190 MW, electrical power is 55 MW, and its service life is up to 60 years.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev described the small nuclear power plant project as "vital" for Uzbekistan's economic development in a statement to the media. He pointed to the availability of uranium reserves, which are currently being exported.

According to a statement from "Uzatom" to Spot, the first reactor of the nuclear power plant is planned to be launched in five years. Each subsequent reactor will be commissioned at six-month intervals, which means reaching the design capacity no earlier than 2033.

Prior to this, negotiations for a large-capacity nuclear power plant project, which is also planned to be built in the Jizzakh region, lasted nearly six years. Its construction period was estimated at six years.

In September, Uzbekistan and Russia signed a protocol to commence the construction of the small nuclear power plant. "Rosatom" began refining the documentation and conducting exploratory works at the construction site.

Earlier, Spot reported that "Uzatom" would explore 14 potential sites for the construction of small nuclear power plants.