The key facts

  • Mirziyoyev announced plans to build second and third nuclear power plants in Uzbekistan
  • Negotiations with investors on the second NPP are scheduled for October 17
  • China's possible participation was previously reported; the first NPP is being built with Russia

President's statement

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, during an open dialogue with investors in the fuel and energy sector, announced plans to build second and third nuclear power plants. His words were reported by Aziza Kurbanova, first deputy head of the Communications Department of the Presidential Administration, on her Telegram channel, as well as by the outlet UzNews.uz. According to the president, Uzbekistan pays great attention to the development of nuclear energy, since uranium mining in the country is growing significantly. «We have made major investments in this industry, accumulated significant experience and created the necessary capabilities. Therefore, we have begun construction of the first nuclear power plant. We also have plans to build second and third NPPs,» UzNews.uz quotes him as saying.

Negotiations on October 17

Mirziyoyev said that on October 17 negotiations will be held with new partners and investors on the construction of the second NPP. At the event, the president did not specify exactly which investors the negotiations would be held with or where the new plants are expected to be located.

Context of previous statements

On August 17, the president had already announced the start of preparations for the second NPP, without naming a partner country. In September, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said that, according to Mirziyoyev, the second plant is planned to be built jointly with China. The first NPP in Uzbekistan is being built as part of a project with Russia. According to Vucic, Mirziyoyev also emphasized that even the implementation of two nuclear projects will not fully cover the country's future electricity needs amid growing demand from data centers, artificial intelligence projects and electric vehicles. It was previously reported that Uzbekistan will develop a National Energy Master Plan until 2050.