An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts has concluded a 12-day mission to Uzbekistan to review its development of infrastructure for a nuclear power program. The Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) was carried out at the invitation of the Uzbek government.
Uzbekistan, a major global uranium supplier, is looking to nuclear power as a low carbon energy source to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost electricity generating capacity.
In 2017, the country signed an intergovernmental agreement with the Russian Federation to construct two VVER-1200 pressurized water reactors to be commissioned until 2030. In 2019 Uzbekistan initiated the process to select a site for its first nuclear power plant (NPP).
The INIR team reviewed the status of nuclear infrastructure development using the Phase 2 criteria of the IAEA’s Milestones Approach, which provides detailed guidance across three phases (consider, prepare, construct) of development. The Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan hosted the mission.
The INIR team said the country’s nuclear power program benefitted from strong governmental support and showed a clear commitment to safety, security and non-proliferation. The team added that Uzbekistan had made significant progress in NPP project development and taken steps to enhance its legal and regulatory framework and strengthen the regulatory body.
The team made recommendations and suggestions to assist Uzbekistan in preparing to construct its first NPP.
“Uzbekistan has made substantive progress in the development of its nuclear power infrastructure,” said team leader Milko Kovachev, Head of the IAEA’s Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section. “It is essential that the Government remains well-focused in further advancing the necessary legal and institutional framework.”
The team comprised one expert from Brazil, one expert from Bulgaria and eight IAEA staff. It reviewed the status of 19 nuclear infrastructure issues using the IAEA’s Milestones evaluation methodology.
The Director-General of the Uzatom Agency, Mirzamakhmudov Jurabek, said: “Our technical working groups have worked hard over the past 12 months. The results of the INIR Mission will help the Republic of Uzbekistan to ensure the safe development of a national nuclear program. The outcome of the mission will also help us develop an action plan, which in turn will contribute to the development of the national nuclear infrastructure. By receiving the INIR mission, Uzbekistan demonstrated its complete openness and interest in obtaining an objective professional assessment of the readiness of its nuclear infrastructure. The INIR mission has become a valuable tool for identifying areas and fields requiring improvement and ensuring the availability of the necessary infrastructure for the development of nuclear technologies.” (Uzreport/Business World Magazine)