Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is reassessing the country’s nuclear energy partnership with Russia following an agreement made in June to construct the nation’s first nuclear reactor cluster. The shift became apparent when an official statement released on September 2 regarding the integrated nuclear plant project notably omitted any mention of Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear entity.
Instead, the presidential statement highlighted Mirziyoyev’s approval for establishing a new joint venture with international engineering firms to manage construction oversight and conduct independent technical assessments. The statement provided no specifics about the consortium’s composition, leaving considerable uncertainty regarding Rosatom’s ongoing involvement. This development indicates diminished confidence in Rosatom’s ability to independently execute the project.
Tensions between Uzbekistan and Russia over the nuclear initiative have apparently been accumulating throughout the year. Construction was originally scheduled to begin in March but was postponed in January. Additionally, Mirziyoyev announced plans for a second nuclear facility in August without disclosing details about location, timeline, builder, or estimated costs. Beyond the nuclear project, diplomatic activity suggests broader engagement with other parties. On September 3, Mirziyoyev met in Tashkent with retiring U.S. Senator Steve Daines, marking the second such meeting in four days across two cities, following an earlier encounter that included Trump administration special envoy Sergio Gor. The Trump administration has expressed interest in nuclear energy partnerships with Central Asian nations, particularly regarding small modular reactor development.
Financial considerations appear central to the deteriorating Rosatom relationship. The project involves constructing two 1-gigawatt VVER-1000 reactors and two 55-megawatt RITM-200N models alongside supporting infrastructure and housing for up to 33,000 workers and families. The estimated total cost stands at $9.5 billion, with financing arrangements remaining unresolved. Russia’s proposed financing options have not satisfied Uzbek officials. Moreover, Uzbekistan aims to increase local participation in construction work and domestic production from the current 21 percent to at least 30 percent, while ensuring 65 percent of construction tasks are performed by national enterprises and employing 7,000 local workers.
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