The International Atomic Energy Agency commission has completed its investigation. The commission concluded that Uzbekistan was ready to build the first nuclear power plant.
During the inspection, the inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) commission comprehensively assessed the process of infrastructure development of the nuclear energy program, reviewed the preparation of project documents, and inspected security measures to protect the facility and prevent nuclear proliferation.
After that, the investigators concluded that Uzbekistan was ready to build the first NPP. This was reported by RIA Novosti.
According to the commission, all work on the NPP construction is going according to plan, as well as in compliance with all safety requirements and the principles of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Earlier, IAEA experts, who arrived in Uzbekistan on a 12-day working visit, presented recommendations and proposals to the government on the construction of nuclear power plant.
It should be recalled that Uzbekistan and Russia began cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy in December 2017 after the signing of an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation.
By the decree of Shavkat Mirziyoyev dated July 19, 2018, the Atomic Energy Development Agency (UzAtom Agency) was established under the Cabinet of Ministers.
On September 7, 2018, the then Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev and the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov signed an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the construction of a nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan under the Russian project.
The project includes the construction of two power units with SSER-1200 reactors. According to the resolution No. 3969 of the President of Uzbekistan of October 13, 2018, the signed agreement entered into force.
In 2018, during the official visit of the RF President Vladimir Putin to Uzbekistan, the Presidents of the two countries launched the construction of the first NPP in Uzbekistan.
The first unit of the NPP in Uzbekistan is scheduled to be commissioned by the end of 2028.
It is unknown at this time where the nuclear power plant will be built. Initially, it was reported that the area around Tudakul on the border of Navoi and Bukhara regions was considered a potential site for the NPP construction, but later it was reported that the facility will be built in the Jizzakh region.
After the construction of the NPP, the total capacity of electricity generated in Uzbekistan may reach 2.4 gigawatts.
Although construction of the first NPP, valued at $11 billion, is scheduled to begin in 2020, it is currently being delayed. Allegedly, the parties are unable to agree on the terms of the contract.
In December 2020, Russian Ambassador to Uzbekistan Vladimir Tyurdenev said that the agreement between Uzbekistan and Russia on the NPP construction was “almost ready”, only technical aspects of the construction of the NPP remained. However, UzAtom denied the Russian ambassador’s allegations about the nuclear power plant, saying that no agreement had been reached yet, and “during the discussion of the agreement, the negotiating positions were developed and defended, taking into account the national interests of the Republic of Uzbekistan”.
