An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts has completed a Follow-up Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission in Uzbekistan, carried out at the request of the government. The team reviewed progress in addressing recommendations and suggestions from a 2021 Phase 2 INIR mission. Phase 2 missions assess the country’s preparedness for implementing a nuclear power project.
In 2018, Uzbekistan decided to develop a nuclear power programme to help meet growing electricity demand and diversify its energy mix. The country’s current plans include two RITM-200N type small modular reactors (SMR) and two VVER-1000 type large reactors. In June, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi attended the first concrete pouring ceremony marking the start of construction of the first SMR unit, which is expected to become operational around 2029.
The mission was hosted by the Atomic Energy Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzatom), with participation from more than 20 national organisations involved in the nuclear power programme.
The INIR team, comprising two international experts from Brazil and Türkiye and two IAEA staff, assessed the progress made in areas such as the legal and regulatory frameworks, nuclear safety, security and safeguards, human resource development, stakeholder engagement and environmental protection.
The mission concluded that Uzbekistan has made significant progress. It has joined the relevant international legal instruments, revised its national nuclear legislation, and developed its regulations for licensing and oversight, management systems and the necessary electrical grid studies and enhancement plans.
“Uzbekistan has demonstrated commitment to develop a safe, secure and sustainable nuclear power programme”, said mission team leader John Haddad, of the IAEA’s Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section. “It has worked actively to address the recommendations and suggestions from the 2021 mission and develop a sound infrastructure for the implementation stage of its programme”. However, further work is needed to complete ongoing actions to strengthen the nuclear regulatory body and finalise feasibility studies.
“The INIR Phase 2 Follow-up Mission is of particular importance to us”, said Uzatom Director Azim Akhmedkhadjaev. “We see it as a vital tool for open professional dialogue, allowing us to objectively assess the ongoing work to develop our national nuclear infrastructure, compare the results achieved with international standards and IAEA recommendations, and identify further practical steps.” The preliminary report was delivered to the Government of Uzbekistan at the end of the mission.
