A solemn event dedicated to launching the construction project of the First Nuclear Power Station in Uzbekistan was held at Uzexpocentre.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin pressed a symbolic button to launch the project.

Specialists of Uzatom Agency and Rosatom State Corporation announced the start of engineering surveys to select sites for construction of the first NPS in Uzbekistan, via videoconference.

“Today we are opening a new strategic direction of cooperation with the Russian Federation – development of nuclear energy. This project forms a new cluster, its implementation will serve to further development of industrial potential and creation of new jobs in different sectors of the country’s economy", – said the President of Uzbekistan.

In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Atomic Energy Development Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers has been established for peaceful use of nuclear energy.

An agreement on construction of Nuclear Power Station in Uzbekistan has been reached with Rosatom Corporation, which ranks the first place in the world in terms of number and scale of foreign projects – construction of 34 power units in 12 countries. NPS will consist of two WWER-1200 generations "3+" units with a capacity of 1,200 MW each, which are the most modern and safe.

Nuclear power is environmentally friendly. Nuclear power stations do not form harmful carbon monoxide. As a result of launching nuclear power station, the economy of significant volumes of natural gas will be achieved. Carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced to 14 million tonnes and nitrogen oxides by 36,000 tonnes.

Uzbekistan, in accordance with its international obligations as a member state of the IAEA, focuses on nuclear safety.

All international requirements for construction of the nuclear power station will be strictly enforced in implementing the project.

IAEA experts supported Uzbekistan’s initiative on implementation of the National program on using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and expressed readiness to provide all possible assistance in its implementation.

In accordance with agreements reached earlier, it was decided to open a branch of the National Research Nuclear University “Moscow Engineering Physics Institute” in Tashkent. In the next academic year, the branch of MEPhI will receive first students.

Rosatom Corporation has already organized training 30 Uzbekistan's students in this world-famous University this academic year, in Moscow.

Uzbekistan’s students, having studied at MEPhI, will become highly qualified specialists, will become able to ensure safe operation of Nuclear Power Station. The atom will indeed be peaceful in their safe hands.