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Deputies conceptually approved amendments to the law on the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes
Deputies of Uzbekistan in the first reading approved amendments to improve government and control in the field of atomic energy. The atomic energy agency in the Cabinet can become a sphere regulator instead of the Ministry of Energy. It is also planned to develop nuclear technologies in non -energy spheres.
The Legislative Chamber of Oliy Mazhlis at a meeting on August 19 in the first reading adopted a law aimed at improving the system of public administration and control in the field of atomic energy, the lower house of parliament reports.
The document provides for amendments to the law “On the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes”, which are aimed at the effective and safe use of atomic energy, clarifying the powers of state bodies, improving the system of government and control in the field of atomic energy, bringing it into line with international standards.
In particular, the agency for atomic energy in the office of ministers is determined by the authorized body that implies state policy in this area. Now the regulator is the Ministry of Energy. The agency will be responsible for the development and coordination of industry programs, determining security measures and ensuring international cooperation.
The Deputy Head of the Directorate for the Construction of the Nuclear Power Plant in Uzbekistan Otabek Amanov at the meeting clarified that the agency defined 17 priority areas, including reform to ensure the safety of atomic facilities, the creation of a radiation and nuclear security system in accordance with international standards, the introduction of innovative technologies, and support for scientific and development and construction work.
The Ministry of Energy will carry out tasks related to the accounting of atomic energy sources and the share of nuclear energy in the balance of electricity production and consumption.
He emphasized the strategic significance of the development of atomic energy and the need to improve the legal framework. According to him, atomic power plants are used by more than 30 countries of the world. Over 400 reactors are in operation, which provide about 10% of the global electricity production.
Amanov also noted that nuclear technologies are used not only in energy, but also in other areas. “Today they are effectively used in industry, nuclear medicine, sterilization of agricultural products, preserving cultural heritage and other areas, which contributes to the sustainable development of the national economy,” he added.
Corresponding amendments on the development of projects on the use of nuclear technologies in the non -energy sphere are planned to be submitted to Article 12 of the Law.
The deputies unanimously voted for the adoption of the bill in the first reading. Now it should be considered in the second and third readings before sending to the Senate.
In June, it became known about plans to create in Uzbekistan the Nuclear Medicine Center together with the Russian Medical Institute named after S. Berezin.
NPP in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan and Russia signed an agreement on the construction of the nuclear power plant back in 2018. The document provided for cooperation on the design, construction in Uzbekistan, commissioning, operating and decommissioning of a nuclear power plant as part of two power units based on a water-water power reactor for the Russian project with the installed capacity of each power unit up to 1.2 GWT.
In May 2024, the parties decided to begin the implementation of atomic projects in Uzbekistan from a small nuclear power plant. The contract for the construction of the ASMM was signed between the Directorate for the construction of the nuclear power plant and the Atomstroyxport company (the Rosatoma engineering unit) as part of a visit to Tashkent of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Rosatom will be the general contractor for the construction of the station, Uzbek companies will also be involved in construction.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called the “vital” project for the construction of a small nuclear power plant. “Taking into account the availability of large Uranus and export of its own reserves in the third countries, this project is vital for us if we think about the prospects for reaching a new stage in the country`s development,” he said.
The head of Rosatoma, Alexei Likhachev, said that the station was planned “Phasatapno, Smirodno” from 2029 to 2033.
The project is based on the water-water nuclear reactor Rhythm-200n-the adaptation of the RITM-200 ship installation, designed for atomic icebreakers, to ground placement. Superior nuclear power plants with these reactors have not yet been built.
The first block of the small nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan is planned to be commissioned until the end of 2029, however, the launch of a similar project in Yakutia was transferred from 2028 to 2030.
On September 10, the Directorate for the Construction of the NPP and Atomstroykport signed a protocol on the start of work on the station project. This means the start of the active phase of preparatory work on the construction site and the development of design documentation.
The low -power nuclear power station (ASMM), which will be built in the Dzhak region, according to the latest data, will have a total capacity of 110 MW and consist of two reactors of 55 MW each (six were originally expected).
According to the head of the “Uzatom” Azima Akhmedhajaev, the filling of the first concrete (construction of the station itself) is planned in March 2026. “The president instructed us to move the deadlines not to the left, but to the right, that is, accelerating our terms,” he said.
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