Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev was presented with a report on the progress of initiatives aimed at developing nuclear energy in the country.

Over the past five years, Uzbekistan has implemented a series of large-scale energy projects, increasing electricity production by 30 percent to 81.5 billion kilowatt-hours. Amid growing energy demand, the country is actively expanding its renewable energy sector, with the share of renewables in total generation reaching 16 percent. Last year alone, additional capacity of 3.2 gigawatts was introduced.

Strategic planning and preparation for long-term challenges are receiving particular attention. According to forecasts, electricity consumption in Uzbekistan is expected to reach 121 billion kilowatt-hours by 2035. In response, large-scale measures are being undertaken across the energy sector to develop various sources. By 2030, the share of "green" energy in the national energy balance is projected to exceed 50 percent. Nuclear energy is considered one of the key long-term sources of power.

Work is currently underway on a project to construct a small-scale nuclear power plant. As part of the preparation of a "roadmap" and exploration of possible implementation mechanisms, meetings have been held with specialized working groups.

In cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a Joint Action Plan for 2025–2027 has been developed. Every stage of the future nuclear power plant's construction—from design to commissioning—will be strictly monitored to ensure compliance with international safety standards and best global practices.

During the meeting, officials reported on the current status of the project, negotiations with partners, obtaining necessary permits, and potential funding sources. Technical and economic aspects of the site selection for a large nuclear power plant, as well as prospects for its construction, were also discussed.