Also taking part in the ceremony were IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, First Deputy Director General of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation Andrei Petrov, and Director of the Agency for the Development of Nuclear Energy Uzatom Azim Akhmedkhadjaev from the plant's construction site in Uzbekistan.
The integrated NPP project is truly unique: for the first time, small and large-capacity nuclear power plants will be built on a single site. The pouring of the “first concrete” into the reactor building foundation signifies the facility’s transition to the status of a “new nuclear power plant under construction” in accordance with IAEA standards. The project will comprise two large-capacity power units based on VVER-1000 reactors and a power unit featuring two RITM-200N reactors with a capacity of 55 MW each.
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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Mirziyoyev,
Mr Grossi,
Friends,
I am delighted to welcome all participants of the ceremony marking the start of construction by Rosatom of the first nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan. It is indeed symbolic that we are launching this large-scale, joint Russia-Uzbekistan project from here, from St Petersburg, together with President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The start of concrete pouring into the foundation of power unit number one of the future NPP signifies that work on creating one of the largest nuclear power plants in the region is now entering its practical stage.
The fact that Russia and Uzbekistan are jointly implementing a breakthrough, high-tech project like this is a testament to the friendship and allied relationship that our two countries have and proof of the successful and rapid development of the Russian-Uzbek strategic partnership in all fields. This is a mutually beneficial partnership that contributes to the prosperity and improved well-being of both our countries and their citizens.
Rosatom will build two large Generation III+ reactors, each of 1,000 megawatts, as well as two small power units of 55 megawatts each, in the Jizzakh region of Uzbekistan. This unique configuration, chosen by the President of Uzbekistan, has no parallel anywhere in the world and will make the nuclear power plant as powerful and efficient as possible.
Once operational, the plant will produce around 17 billion kilowatt-hours of energy annually, providing up to 15 percent of Uzbekistan’s energy consumption. That will be a real contribution to strengthening the energy security of the republic, and perhaps of Central Asia as a whole.
Rosatom, as a recognised global leader in peaceful nuclear energy, is preparing to deploy the most modern technologies and engineering solutions in the construction of this plant. All strict safety standards and environmental requirements of the IAEA will be taken into account. Mr Grossi, who is taking part in our ceremony, will, I hope, confirm that.
I would like to once again greet Mr Grossi separately and thank him for coming to our ceremony.
Let me emphasise that this project will provide many Uzbek enterprises with related orders. New jobs will be created, and local contractors will be actively involved in installation, materials supply, transport provision, and other services. In total, around 15,000 people are expected to be employed at the construction site.
Importantly, Russia will not only build the nuclear power plant, but will also provide our Uzbek partners with a preferential export loan, as well as support throughout the entire life cycle of the plant. That includes long-term reactor fuel supply, service and maintenance, and the management of spent nuclear material. In effect, with Russia’s assistance, a national high-tech nuclear industry is being formed in Uzbekistan.
To be honest, I have only just learned that Uzbekistan does, in principle, have a foundation in this area – there is experience and a research base. But of course, all of that needs updating, because over recent decades, unfortunately, this field did not receive the necessary attention in Uzbekistan. Now, at the initiative of President Mirziyoyev, this work is gaining momentum. Indeed, a national high-tech nuclear industry is being formed, as I said. For its part, Rosatom will transfer unique peaceful nuclear technologies to Uzbekistan – technologies that can be used in energy, agriculture, medicine, and other sectors.
Russia will also assist Uzbekistan in training qualified engineers, technical staff, and managerial personnel for the future plant. Around 400 Uzbek citizens are currently studying at Russian universities in fields related to nuclear energy, and more than 300 more are studying at the Tashkent branch of the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (MEPhI) – the flagship university of the Russian nuclear industry. The President of Uzbekistan was forward-thinking in this regard and has already created the necessary conditions for training national personnel.
In conclusion, I would like to warmly congratulate everyone on the launch of this significant bilateral project and wish all those involved in the construction of the nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan every success and all the best.
Thank you.
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev:President Putin,
Mr Grossi,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am sincerely pleased to welcome you to this ceremony marking the start of construction of the first power unit of Uzbekistan's integrated nuclear power plant.
Today, we are not simply launching another stage of an infrastructure project; we are taking part in a truly historic event. We are embarking on a new phase in our country's technological, industrial and scientific development. Uzbekistan is laying the foundations for a new sector – a modern nuclear power industry, which embodies advanced scientific capabilities, cutting-edge engineering expertise and a strategic vision for the future.
Once it reaches its full design capacity, the nuclear power plant will make a significant contribution to electricity generation in our country. It will support the development of our national economy and strengthen our scientific and industrial potential, while providing consumers with clean energy.
Importantly, as President Putin has already noted, this project is without precedent anywhere in the world. It combines the latest achievements in small modular reactor technology with large-scale baseload power generation.
At the same time, I would like to emphasise that safety is our absolute and unconditional priority. The construction of the plant and preparations for its operation are being carried out in accordance with the most advanced international standards, using state-of-the-art engineering solutions and under the continuous oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
I would also like to stress that the implementation of this project is yet another vivid example of the successful and mutually beneficial energy cooperation between Uzbekistan and Russia.
Mr President, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you personally for your support and attention to the implementation of this strategic project.
I would also like to thank our friend, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi, for his steadfast support and cooperation.
Special thanks go to all the Uzbekistani and Russian specialists whose joint efforts, professionalism and dedication have made this project possible.
Friends,
I am confident that the successful construction of this modern integrated nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan will further strengthen relations between Uzbekistan and Russia, our comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance, while contributing to the sustainable development of our two countries.
Thank you for your attention.
(Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi, in his address, emphasised the uniqueness of the Russia-Uzbekistan integrated nuclear power plant project. He noted that the project will contribute to the development of the digital economy, including data centres and other capabilities. According to him, the presence of the IAEA reflects the high level of responsibility demonstrated by both countries. The IAEA Director General also noted that Uzatom and Rosatom fully adhere to the principles of safety, nuclear security and non-proliferation, and assured that the IAEA will support the implementation of the project at all stages.)
First Deputy Director General of Rosatom State Corporation Andrei Petrov: Mr President of Russia, Mr President of Uzbekistan,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today we are witnessing a historic event. The first concrete pour marks the transition to the main stage of construction of the first nuclear power plant in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Our project is developing at a very dynamic pace. In October last year, we began excavation work, and in March this year, we launched work on the concrete foundation for the reactor. Today, we are fully ready for the first concrete pour.
The nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan is a unique project, and for us at Rosatom it is a great honour that Russian technologies have been chosen for the development of nuclear energy in Uzbekistan.
Such intensive progress would, of course, have been impossible without support at the highest level. Allow me to express our gratitude to you, Mr President of Russia, Mr President of Uzbekistan, for your special attention to the implementation of this project.
Director of the Agency for the Development of Atomic Energy Uzatom Azim Akhmedkhadjaev: Mr President of the Republic of Uzbekistan,
Mr President of the Russian Federation,
The project for the construction of the first power unit of the nuclear power plant in the Republic of Uzbekistan is ready for implementation. All preparatory stages have been completed. The Committee for Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan has issued a licence for the construction of the power unit.
Andrei Petrov: Mr President of Russia,
I request your permission to begin the first concrete pour for the first small power unit.
Vladimir Putin: Permission granted.
Azim Akhmedkhadjaev: Mr President of Uzbekistan,
I request your permission to commence construction works.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev: Permission granted.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you. Good luck.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev: Thank you.