According to the press service of the President of Uzbekistan, the total cost of the comprehensive nuclear power plant project in the Jizzakh region is estimated at $9.5 billion. The preliminary estimate for locally produced goods and equipment amounts to $1.9 billion, which corresponds to 21% of the total project cost.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev inspected the progress of the station construction, as well as plans for creating a modern satellite city for workers, specialists, and their families.
The active phase of the nuclear power plant construction began on June 4 of this year. Earthworks for the reactor building have been completely finished, with over one million cubic meters of soil removed. A total of 916 cubic meters of concrete has been poured for the foundation slab. Excavation work for the construction and installation base has been carried out on an area of 100 hectares.
Currently, about 450 workers and specialists are employed at the construction site, and over 100 units of specialized equipment are in operation. The project is expected to include about 3000 types of products and equipment.
Mirziyoyev noted that the current share of local products, at 21%, is insufficient. He instructed officials to increase this figure to at least 30%, ensure the participation of national enterprises in 65% of the construction and installation works, and attract 7000 local workers and specialists to the project.
To expand localization, it was proposed to create an industrial zone covering 200 hectares in the Farish district, specializing in the production of construction materials. It is planned to establish at least 100 joint ventures, utilizing technology transfer to produce goods in 15 directions.
Significant investments will also be required for the development of the station's external engineering infrastructure. The project provides for the construction of 388 kilometers of power lines, 110-kilovolt substations, 21 kilometers of water supply networks, and 120 kilometers of technical water supply networks. The construction of 39.5 kilometers of roads and 11 kilometers of railway tracks is also planned.
The President ordered officials to guarantee that domestic goods and services will constitute 60-70% of the supplies for the construction of these facilities.
In parallel, a city for the atomic power plant workers, spanning 200 hectares, is being developed. It is planned to accommodate about 10,000 apartments for nearly 33,000 residents, with 3000 apartments to be built in the first stage. The city will be equipped with schools, preschools, medical, sports, and cultural facilities, recreation areas, and green spaces. Energy-efficient solutions, modern insulation technologies, alternative energy sources, and 'smart' lighting systems will be used during construction.
To strengthen project management, technical supervision, and independent assessment of technological solutions, it was proposed to form a joint venture with leading foreign engineering companies.
Special attention is paid to training specialists for the future station. Since 2023, 216 students have graduated from the Tashkent branch of the National Research Nuclear University of Russia. Of these, 83 continue their studies in master's and doctoral programs at foreign universities, and another 100 specialists are undergoing training at four higher education institutions in Uzbekistan.
In conclusion, the President instructed officials to ensure the quality and safety of construction, adherence to project deadlines, expansion of domestic enterprise participation, and the training of qualified personnel for the operation of the nuclear power plant.