Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan Agree on Nuclear Safety Cooperation Road Map
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Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan agreed on a road map for nuclear safety and environmental monitoring cooperation at a meeting in Tashkent on August 21. The agreement follows Uzbekistan's announcement of preparations for a second nuclear power plant on August 17. Both countries are entering nuclear power nearly simultaneously, with Uzbekistan building its first plant and Kazakhstan planning at least three.
Key Facts
- Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan agreed on a road map for nuclear safety cooperation at a meeting in Tashkent on August 21.
- Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced on August 17 that preparations are under way for a second nuclear power plant.
- Uzbekistan's first nuclear complex in the Jizzakh region will have a total capacity of about 2.1 GW and is expected to be fully operational by 2035.
- Kazakhstan's nuclear industry development strategy, approved in April 2026, calls for at least three nuclear power plants by 2050.
- Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant is planned near the village of Ulken on the shore of Lake Balkhash, with Rosatom leading the international consortium.
Nuclear Safety Coordination
Representatives of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan met in Tashkent on August 21 and agreed on main areas of further cooperation, including a road map and follow-up steps. The coordination covers safety and environmental monitoring, including potential transboundary impacts, even before the first reactors come online. The meeting came four days after President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced preparations for a second nuclear power plant on August 17. The location, capacity, timetable, and technology partner for the second plant have yet to be announced.
Uzbekistan's Nuclear Expansion
Uzbekistan's nuclear project has expanded considerably since 2024, when Tashkent and Russia's Rosatom agreed to build a small nuclear power plant with six 55 MW RITM-200N reactors. The configuration was later revised to an integrated plant in the Forish district of the Jizzakh region, comprising two large VVER-1000 units and two small RITM-200N reactors with a total capacity of about 2.1 GW. Construction formally began on June 4, 2026, when concrete was poured for the first reactor unit. A technical launch of the first small reactor is planned for late 2029, the first large unit is expected to begin operating in 2033, and the entire complex is expected to be operational by 2035. Official projections of annual generation range from about 15.4 billion to 17.2 billion kWh.
Kazakhstan's Nuclear Program
Kazakhstan is the world's largest uranium producer and has the world's second-largest uranium reserves, but currently has no operating commercial nuclear power reactors. In a nationwide referendum in October 2024, voters approved the construction of a nuclear power plant. The country's first plant is planned near the village of Ulken on the shore of Lake Balkhash, with Rosatom selected to lead the international consortium for the project. A nuclear industry development strategy approved in April 2026 calls for Kazakhstan to have at least three nuclear power plants by 2050. The strategy also covers nuclear science and workforce training, along with the management of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel.
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Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan Agree on Nuclear Safety Cooperation Road Map
