Uzbekistan and Russia have agreed on a multi-billion dollar project for construction of nuclear power plants, according to Uzbek Ambassador to Russia, Bakhrom Ashrafkhanov. He said the roadmap is being developed, the deal is based on an intergovernmental agreement signed at the end of last year. This lists priority areas for cooperation including building a national infrastructure and training of personnel in Uzbekistan, as well as construction of NPPs and research reactors and their maintenance throughout their life cycle. The document also envisages exploration of uranium deposits in Uzbekistan, waste management, production of radioisotopes for using in industry, medicine, and other areas. In addition, joint working groups are to be set up for the implementation of projects and scientific research. Two groups have already been established, one for the construction of NPPs in Uzbekistan and the other for scientific development. During his visit to Uzbekistan earlier this year, the head of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, Alexei Likhachev, said Rosatom was willing to build two VVER-1200 units, and Uzbekistan has offered Russia a site in Navoi. Russia is discussing several possible options for financing the project, including a state loan, private investment, Russian investment and a Build-Own-Operate arrangement.
