Uzbekistan and Russia have signed a new agreement to explore the construction of a large-capacity nuclear power plant, while also revising plans for a previously announced small modular nuclear power plant (SMR).
The agreement between Uzbekistan’s Nuclear Energy Agency (Uzatom) and Russia’s state-owned Rosatom was formalized during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2025), building on discussions held during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Uzbekistan in May 2024.
The project under consideration involves the construction of two VVER-1000 pressurized water reactors, with an option to expand to four units. These Russian-designed reactors are already in use in China and India and have logged over 420 reactor-years of operation.
Uzatom director Azim Akhmedkhadjayev described the initiative as a step toward building a “reliable and balanced energy system” to meet Uzbekistan’s clean energy needs. A joint working group has been established to assess the key aspects and costs of the potential large-scale plant.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan has revised its small NPP project in Jizzakh. Originally planned to include six RITM-200N reactors of 55 MW each (330 MW total), the updated plan reduces this to two reactors with a combined capacity of 110 MW. These reactors are based on those used in Russian nuclear icebreakers, though a land-based version has yet to be built.
Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev noted that combining small and large NPPs could form a carbon-free energy cluster, boosting Uzbekistan’s industrial and economic development. He also emphasized that integrating both types of plants at one site could cut capital costs by at least 10%, with potential for further savings as revenue from the small plant begins flowing ahead of the large plant’s completion.
The joint effort marks the first planned deployment of a small modular reactor in Uzbekistan and highlights deepening Russian-Uzbek cooperation in the nuclear energy sector.
European metal producers are urging the EU to restrict scrap exports, warning that rising US demand driven by Trump’s 50% tariffs threatens Europe’s green transition and efforts to cut carbon emissions.
China’s annual “Two Sessions” meetings, held from March 4 to 11, offered fresh insight into the country's climate and energy outlook for 2025.
China announced on Tuesday that it will host a large-scale military parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on September 3, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. President Xi Jinping is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech during the commemorative events.
The 11th MINEX Central Asia Forum took place in Tashkent under the theme “Forging Central Asia's Role in Global Critical Minerals Security”, gathering stakeholders from across the region to explore collaboration and investment opportunities in the mining and critical minerals sector.
Tajikistan and Qatar are exploring ways to strengthen their bilateral relationship, focusing on expanding cooperation in economics, trade, and investment.
Nigeria and Brazil have signed a $1 billion deal to strengthen farming, energy, and defense ties.
A preliminary U.S. intelligence report suggests strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities have delayed the programme by only a few months, contradicting President Donald Trump’s assertion that it was completely destroyed.
Two drones suspected to be from Iran were intercepted by Israeli fighter jets outside the country's airspace on Tuesday evening, according to the Israeli military.
The US has funded a private Gaza aid group despite safety concerns and the use of military-linked firms.
European metal producers are urging the EU to restrict scrap exports, warning that rising US demand driven by Trump’s 50% tariffs threatens Europe’s green transition and efforts to cut carbon emissions.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
China’s annual “Two Sessions” meetings, held from March 4 to 11, offered fresh insight into the country's climate and energy outlook for 2025.
The 11th MINEX Central Asia Forum took place in Tashkent under the theme “Forging Central Asia's Role in Global Critical Minerals Security”, gathering stakeholders from across the region to explore collaboration and investment opportunities in the mining and critical minerals sector.
Tajikistan and Qatar are exploring ways to strengthen their bilateral relationship, focusing on expanding cooperation in economics, trade, and investment.
China has nearly doubled its naphtha import quotas for 2025, issuing a second batch of allocations to chemical companies as demand surges and cheaper alternatives like propane and ethane face supply disruptions, according to six trade sources.
Nigeria and Brazil have signed a $1 billion deal to strengthen farming, energy, and defense ties.
A preliminary U.S. intelligence report suggests strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities have delayed the programme by only a few months, contradicting President Donald Trump’s assertion that it was completely destroyed.
Two drones suspected to be from Iran were intercepted by Israeli fighter jets outside the country's airspace on Tuesday evening, according to the Israeli military.
The US has funded a private Gaza aid group despite safety concerns and the use of military-linked firms.
European metal producers are urging the EU to restrict scrap exports, warning that rising US demand driven by Trump’s 50% tariffs threatens Europe’s green transition and efforts to cut carbon emissions.
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