Uzatom Denies Reports of Delay to Nuclear Power Plant Project

Uzbekistan’s Uzatom agency has rejected reports claiming that construction of the nuclear power plant in Jizzakh has been postponed from March to December 2026.

In a statement published on its Telegram channel, the agency said earlier references to a later date in the draft Uzbekistan 2030 development strategy reflected a conservative planning scenario rather than an actual delay.

Uzatom explained that the timeline cited in the strategy assumed completion of all mandatory preparatory stages, including licensing and regulatory approvals, by the end of 2026. It stressed that the project continues to follow Uzbekistan’s legislation and international nuclear safety standards.

The contract to build Uzbekistan’s first nuclear power plant was signed in spring 2024. Russia’s Atomstroyexport was appointed as the main contractor, with Uzbek companies also involved in the project.

During the summer, the two sides agreed to revise the plant’s design. The facility will now consist of two power units. Preparatory work at the construction site began in the autumn.

Once commissioned, the nuclear power plant is expected to supply electricity to the Jizzakh, Samarkand and Navoi regions. The project is also seen as a key driver for industrial growth and agricultural development.

Uzatom Agency and Muroosystems Corporation are developing a concept for a large-scale data centre in Uzbekistan that would be powered entirely by electricity from small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs).

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