Uzbekistan to Begin Small Nuclear Plant Construction in Jizzakh by March 2026

Uzbekistan plans to start pouring the first concrete for a small nuclear power plant in Jizzakh region no later than March 2026. The order came from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, according to Uzatom director Azim Akhmedkhadzhayev, who spoke to Uzbekistan 24 TV channel.
The timeline was discussed at a meeting on Tashkent’s energy supply. Officials briefed the president on preparatory work and cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Uzbekistan has joined four international nuclear safety conventions. IAEA experts have approved the site selection, and safety and environmental documentation is due to be finalised by the end of the year.
Construction Steps Under Way
Engineering surveys are complete and earthworks will begin soon. The president will receive progress updates every two weeks.
The construction contract was signed in May 2024 with a subsidiary of Russia’s Rosatom. While the initial plan was to start concrete pouring in the second quarter of 2026, some preparatory work has been completed ahead of schedule.
The first stage of the plant is expected to go into operation in 2029.
Kursiv also reports that Uzbekistan plans to establish production of dry cooling towers in one of the country’s free economic zones for the Jizzakh NPP.