During the recent state visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Uzbekistan and Russia strengthened their cooperation in nuclear energy by signing a protocol to expand their existing Intergovernmental Agreement, said a press release of Rosatom.

The new agreement includes the construction of a small nuclear power plant (SNPP) in Uzbekistan, marking the first such project in Central Asia.

Atomstroyexport, the Engineering Division of Rosatom, and the Directorate for the Construction of Nuclear Power Plants under Uzatom, Uzbekistan's atomic energy agency, have also signed a contract to solidify the project, Rosatom press release said.

The planned SNPP, to be located in the Jizzakh region, will utilize a Russian design and boast a total capacity of 330 MW generated by six reactors, each with a capacity of 55 MW. Rosatom, the Russian state atomic energy corporation, will serve as the general contractor, while local companies will also participate in the construction process.

This landmark agreement signifies a major step for Uzbekistan in diversifying its energy sources and meeting its growing electricity demand. It also strengthens the longstanding strategic partnership between Russia and Uzbekistan.

Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, "Rosatom has confirmed its undisputed global leadership in nuclear energy by signing the first-ever export contract for the construction of a small nuclear power plant. This is not just a preliminary agreement; we are starting construction this summer."

Uzbekistan's growing energy demands, projected to double by 2050, have spurred the need for a base-load power source alongside renewable energy. Azim Akhmedkhadjaev, Director of Uzatom, highlighted the importance of nuclear energy for the country's economic development and expressed confidence in Rosatom's advanced technologies.

The SNPP project, to be located in the Jizzakh region, will leverage cutting-edge Russian technology, specifically the RITM-200N reactor. This reactor, adapted from innovative marine technology, boasts a thermal power capacity of 190 MW, an electrical power output of 55 MW, and a service life of up to 60 years.