TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 8. The Uzatom Agency has provided an update on the construction of Uzbekistan’s first Small Modular Nuclear Power Plant (SMNPP), located in the Farish district of the Jizzakh region, Trend reports.
“The SMNPP project represents a major step toward ensuring the country’s energy independence and economic growth. We are strictly following the schedule approved by the President and preparing for the ‘first concrete’ pour in March 2026, while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety,” said Abdijamil Kalmuratov, Director of the State Enterprise NPP Construction Directorate.
Preparatory works are nearing completion. By November 2025, around 70 percent of the project’s workforce will consist of Uzbek specialists. Additionally, a dedicated training center for nuclear industry personnel will be established in Farish to develop national expertise in the sector.
Environmental expert Erkin Kholmatov highlighted the project’s strong ecological focus: “We fully adhere to international environmental standards, conducting continuous monitoring of soil, water, and air. Small reactor technologies significantly reduce carbon emissions, contributing to a sustainable future for the Jizzakh region and the preservation of its natural environment.”
Local constituencies have also appropriately articulated their endorsement.
“This plant will provide reliable electricity to our homes, create jobs for young people, and contribute to the prosperity of our district. We are proud that Farish has been chosen for such a nationally significant project,” Amirbek Namozov, a community elder from Farish, noted.
Kalmuratov added that the subcontractor was selected through a transparent and competitive tender process.
“Enter Engineering is one of Uzbekistan’s most capable construction companies, with its own fleet of modern equipment, highly qualified specialists, and in-house design institutes. The company is fully prepared to carry out the entire scope of construction work,” he explained.
In the interim, during May 2024, Uzbekistan executed its inaugural export agreement within the nuclear energy domain, thereby facilitating the trajectory for the SMNPP initiative. Per the strategic framework, the energy generation facility is slated to achieve an aggregate output of 330 MW, incorporating a sextet of RITM-200N reactor modules, with each unit delivering 55 MW of electrical power.
The Uzatom Agency is the Atomic Energy Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, responsible for implementing Uzbekistan's state policy on the peaceful use of atomic energy, developing the national nuclear power program, establishing regulatory and legal frameworks, and ensuring nuclear and radiation safety. It was established to coordinate all activities related to the development of nuclear energy, including plans for building the country's first nuclear power plant.
