BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov. 1
By Fakhri Vakilov - Trend:
Russian government is ready to discuss the allocation of a state export loan to Uzbekistan for the construction of a nuclear power plant (NPP), as was stated by the First Deputy Head of the Russian Government Office Sergei Prikhodko, Trend reports citing Russian media.
Specific conditions of the deal will be discussed by the finance ministers of the two countries.
Prikhodko specified that preliminary estimates of the cost of nuclear power plants already exist and they will be the subject of negotiations on both sides. However, the prices of such projects are not publicized either before or after the conclusion of the contract.
The official also emphasized that the project is strategic for Russian-Uzbek relations.
In early September 2018, Russia and Uzbekistan signed an agreement on cooperation in the construction of NPPs. The contract for the construction of nuclear power plants is planned to be concluded before the end of this year.
The construction itself will begin in 2022. The project will be financed at the expense of funds of Uzbekistan and Russian state loan.
The site near Tuzkan Lake in Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh region was chosen as the priority site for the construction of the station.
The nuclear power plant will consist of two VVER-1200 power units, with a capacity of 1200 MW each. After its introduction, Uzbekistan will be able to reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere to 14 million tons and nitrogen oxides by 36,000 tons.
As a result of the launch of the station, Uzbekistan will annually save 3.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas. By exporting saved gas without even processing it, $550-$600 million a year will be added into the country’s budget.
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