Rosatom's Nuclear Ambitions Expand in Central Asia

Russia's state corporation, Rosatom, has inked a significant deal with Uzbekistan's atomic energy agency to evaluate the feasibility of constructing a large-capacity nuclear power plant in the country. This agreement, signed during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, marks a major step as Central Asia's first nuclear facility is set to become a reality. Already, plans are in the pipeline for smaller nuclear units in Uzbekistan, and Rosatom is also eyeing a leading role in Kazakhstan's nuclear developments.

Neither of the nuclear power plants are operational in any of the five ex-Soviet Central Asian republics, despite Uzbekistan and neighboring Kazakhstan's acknowledgment of the necessity of such plants for their burgeoning economies. The plant in Uzbekistan will feature two Russian-designed VVER-1000 reactors, with an option to upscale to four. Previously, Russian and Uzbek leaders had agreed on a project for smaller plants with a 55-megawatt capacity.

Rosatom head Alexei Likhachev emphasized the historic nature of Uzbekistan's small modular nuclear power plant, labeling it as the planet's inaugural export of a modern small-scale power plant. Meanwhile, Rosatom is also moving forward with a preliminary roadmap in Kazakhstan for two units based on VVER-1200 technology, showcasing the company's expansive nuclear energy footprint in Central Asia.

(With inputs from agencies.)