Uzbekistan drops Rosatom from nuclear plant oversight after consortium plan
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Uzbekistan has removed Rosatom from oversight of its first nuclear power plant, announcing on September 2 a new international consortium to manage construction. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's press service made no mention of Rosatom in the update, signaling a downgrade in nuclear cooperation with Russia. The move follows months of delays and comes as Mirziyoyev met US Senator Steve Daines in Tashkent on September 3.
Key Facts
- Uzbekistan's September 2 nuclear plant update omitted any mention of Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear entity originally contracted to build the facility.
- President Mirziyoyev endorsed creating a joint venture with leading international engineering companies to oversee construction and conduct independent technology assessments.
- In January 2026, Uzbek authorities postponed the start of nuclear plant construction, which had been scheduled for March.
- Mirziyoyev met with retiring US Senator Steve Daines in Tashkent on September 3, days after their meeting in Bishkek with Trump administration special envoy Sergio Gor.
Consortium Shift
The September 2 presidential press service statement proposed establishing a joint venture with leading international engineering companies to improve project management, strengthen technical oversight, and conduct independent assessments of technological solutions. The statement did not specify the consortium's composition, leaving Rosatom's future role uncertain. Rosatom was not mentioned once in the announcement, a stark contrast to the June 4 groundbreaking ceremony where Putin praised the choice of Rosatom as 'the best option for Uzbekistan.'
Bilateral Tensions
Uzbek frustration with Rosatom has been building since at least January 2026, when authorities postponed the nuclear plant construction originally scheduled for March. In August, Mirziyoyev announced 'extensive preparatory work' for a second nuclear plant without specifying location, start date, builder, or cost. The Rosatom omission indicates discontent running both ways in Uzbek-Russian relations, with Putin having signaled displeasure over the recent course of bilateral ties.
US Engagement
Mirziyoyev met with retiring US Senator Steve Daines in Tashkent on September 3, just days after their meeting in Bishkek alongside Trump administration special envoy Sergio Gor. Two meetings over a four-day span in two different cities suggest serious discussions took place. Over the past year, the Trump administration has expressed interest in developing nuclear energy cooperation with Central Asian states, especially in small modular reactors.
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