Uzbekistan Seeks 30% Local Share in $9.5 Billion Jizzakh Nuclear Plant

September 3, 2026 at 05:24 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Uzbekistan is pushing to raise the local production share in its $9.5 billion Jizzakh nuclear power plant from 21% to at least 30%. The government also plans a 200-hectare industrial zone in Forish District to host at least 100 joint ventures. The project, under construction since June 4, remains reliant on Russian contractor Atomstroyexport.

Key Facts

Uzbek-made products currently account for 21% of the $9.5 billion project, about $1.9 billion, and authorities want to raise that share to at least 30%.
Local companies are expected to carry out 65% of construction and installation work at the Jizzakh plant.
The government plans a 200-hectare industrial zone in Forish District that could host at least 100 joint ventures and local production in 15 areas.
The plant will require 120 kilometers of water pipelines, 40 kilometers of roads, and 11 kilometers of railway, with authorities targeting 60%-70% local content for this infrastructure.
Since 2023, 216 students have graduated from the Tashkent branch of Russia's MEPhI nuclear university, with 83 continuing studies abroad.

Local Production Push

The government wants Uzbek companies to take a larger share of construction and equipment production at the Jizzakh nuclear power plant. Uzbek-made products are currently expected to account for 21% of the project, or about $1.9 billion, and authorities want to raise that share to at least 30%. Local companies are expected to carry out 65% of construction and installation work. Up to 7,000 Uzbek workers and specialists could be involved at different stages of construction. The general contractor remains Atomstroyexport, the engineering division of Russia's Rosatom.

Industrial Zone and Infrastructure

Authorities plan to create a 200-hectare industrial zone in the Forish District that could host at least 100 joint ventures. Local production is planned in 15 areas, including through the transfer of foreign technology. The government is preparing tax and customs incentives intended to encourage local production. The plant will require new power lines, 120 kilometers of water pipelines, 40 kilometers of roads, and 11 kilometers of railway. Authorities want locally produced goods and services to account for 60%-70% of this infrastructure work.

Workforce and Regulatory Capacity

Since 2023, 216 students have graduated from the Tashkent branch of Russia's National Research Nuclear University MEPhI. Of these graduates, 83 are continuing their master's or postgraduate studies at institutions abroad. The government is considering a joint venture with foreign engineering companies to provide independent technical assessments during construction. In June, a mission from the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency visited Uzbekistan to review progress in developing national nuclear infrastructure.