Uzbekistan is considering the construction of two more nuclear power plants

Talks with new potential partners and investors on the second station were scheduled for October 17. At the same open dialogue with investors in the fuel and energy sector on October 16, the president spoke about 12 projects worth $850 million to localize the production of energy equipment, UzDaily reports.

The gist in brief

• Uzbekistan is considering the construction of a second and third nuclear power plant; construction of the first station has already begun.
• 12 projects worth $850 million have been prepared to localize the production of power equipment: high-voltage equipment, control units for energy storage systems, and components for wind generators.
• Last year, local goods and services in energy investment projects amounted to $740 million; the president believes this figure can be increased 3-4 times.
• An industrial zone with tax and customs incentives will be created near the future nuclear power plant in the Jizzakh region.

What was said about nuclear energy

Mirziyoyev noted that the state pays special attention to nuclear energy and is increasing uranium production. Significant investments have been directed into the sector, and construction of the first station has already begun. The authorities are now considering the possibility of building a second and third nuclear power plant and are preparing for talks with new partners.

What happened earlier

Mirziyoyev announced preparations for a second nuclear power plant back on August 17, naming the goal of cheap and stable electricity supply for the economy in order to attract investors. The first station is being built in the Farish district of the Jizzakh region together with Rosatom: two VVER-1000 power units and two low-capacity RITM-200N units of 55 MW each, totaling over 2.1 GW. The foundation stone of the first power unit was laid on June 4, 2026. A week after the August statement, Acwa and KOWEPO signed a memorandum on renewable energy and storage projects in Uzbekistan, investments in which may reach $15 billion.

What equipment localization means

Localization means establishing production within the country instead of importing. Currently, energy equipment in Uzbekistan is mainly imported. The 12 prepared projects concern high-voltage equipment, control units for energy storage systems, and components for wind generators.

The president recalled that last year local goods and services in energy investment projects amounted to $740 million, and this figure can be grown 3-4 times. As an example, he cited China's Energy China: during the construction of eight energy storage stations, the company used about 40% local products. The Agency for Industrial Cooperation and industry associations, together with enterprises, will determine the volumes and quality requirements for products needed by investors and organize their systematic supply.

Industrial zone near the future nuclear power plant

An industrial zone with tax and customs incentives will be created in the Farish district of the Jizzakh region, next to the future station. It is intended for the production of goods needed by the nuclear power plant. The president invited international investors to participate.

Demand for copper and related goods

Energy projects create high demand for copper products. Mirziyoyev recalled that Uzbekistan is among the world's leading copper producers and noted the growing demand for cables, transformers, metal structures, and construction materials. According to him, local enterprises can compete in quality, price, and compliance with international standards.

What this means for Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is also building its first nuclear power plant. The contract for the Balkhash nuclear power plant was signed on September 3, 2026: two VVER-1200 units with a total capacity of 2.4 GW; the cost, according to the head of the Nuclear Energy Agency Almasadam Satkaliyev, will be $16.4 billion. The active construction phase, according to Rosatom head Alexey Likhachev, will begin in 2027. Uzbekistan, judging by the president's statement, is looking beyond the first station and is already discussing the second and third.

Author's conclusion

The president's statement sets a direction: more nuclear energy and more domestic production around it. For now, these are plans and a prepared package of projects, not decisions on specific stations. What of this becomes reality will be shown by the outcome of the talks on the second nuclear power plant and whether partners can be found for the 12 localization projects.