Preparatory work begins in Uzbekistan
In May 2024, a contract was signed for the construction of a 330 MW nuclear power plant, featuring six RITM-200N water-cooled reactor units. Adapted from technology used in nuclear-powered icebreakers, each unit has a thermal power of 190 MW or 55 MWe and a service life of 60 years. The first unit is expected to go critical in late 2029, with subsequent units commissioned progressively.
This project marks the first export order for Russia’s SMR technology. A similar land-based version is under construction in Yakut, Russia, with its first unit scheduled for launch in 2027. Rosatom, the project’s developer, highlights that the SMR incorporates active and passive safety systems to meet high safety standards.
Pavel Bezrukov, Vice President and Director of the NPP Construction Project in the Republic of Uzbekistan at Atomstroyexport JSC, stated: “Currently, the Engineering Division of Rosatom continues to work on preparing documentation for [plants] with RITM-200N reactor units, the latest development, which is based on many years of experience in operating Russian-designed reactors. The ... project will provide Uzbekistan with a guaranteed volume of electricity for decades to come and will lay a reliable foundation for the development of the nuclear industry in the entire region.”
Otabek Amanov, Deputy Director of the Directorate for Nuclear Power Plant Construction, stated: “based on time-tested technologies and experience of trouble-free operation, [the SMR plant] will become a reliable source of environmentally friendly energy. Compactness, the highest level of safety and efficiency make RITM-200N an ideal solution for the sustainable development of the region's energy sector.”
The project is expected to deliver a stable electricity supply, supporting Uzbekistan’s energy needs and fostering the growth of the regional nuclear industry. The compact and efficient design of the RITM-200N reactors aligns with sustainable energy development goals.
In 2017, Uzbekistan and Russia agreed to construct two VVER-1200 pressurized water reactors, and separate proposals for a larger 2.5 GW nuclear power plant are still under consideration. The current SMR project represents a significant step toward diversifying Uzbekistan’s energy portfolio and enhancing regional energy security through clean and reliable power generation.
