Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that China is participating in the project to build the second nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan. This information was disclosed by him on September 8 during the Uzbek-Serbian business forum in Belgrade, based on a conversation with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Vučić reported that during a private discussion with Mirziyoyev on the morning of September 8, the President of Uzbekistan mentioned two nuclear projects: one being implemented jointly with Russia, and the second planned with the participation of China. As Vučić quoted Mirziyoyev, it was said: 'One nuclear power plant is being built with Russians, and another station is being built with Chinese.'
Thus, the statement by the Serbian President became the first public acknowledgment of China's partnership with Uzbekistan within the framework of the second NPP project. Previously, Uzbek authorities had confirmed preparations for the creation of a second NPP but did not disclose the name of the partner country.
Vučić linked Uzbekistan's plans to the projected growth in electricity consumption. According to him, Mirziyoyev is anticipating the country's future needs in advance, taking into account the development of data centers, artificial intelligence, innovations, and electric vehicles. The Serbian President highly praised the approach of the Uzbek leader to energy development and emphasized the need for timely increase in generating capacity. He also noted that European countries should take into account the growing demand for electricity.
The official parameters of Uzbekistan's second nuclear project have not yet been disclosed. It is unknown where the station will be located, what its capacity will be, what reactor units it will include, how long construction will take, or what the project cost will be.
Earlier, on August 17, Mirziyoyev publicly spoke about preparations for building a second NPP during his visit to the Khorezm region. At that time, the President announced the start of 'major preparatory work' on the project but did not name the partner.
Uzbekistan's first nuclear project is being implemented with the participation of Russia in the Jizzakh region of Fergana. It involves the construction of two VVER-1000 reactors, each with a capacity of 1 GW, and two small modular reactors of the RITM-200N type, each with a capacity of 55 MW. The technical launch of the first small reactor is expected in October-November 2029, and the second in six months later. The first large power unit is scheduled to be commissioned in 2033, and the completion of the entire complex is expected between 2034 and 2035.
The total capacity of the first NPP will be 2110 MW, and the annual output could potentially reach 17 billion kWh. The baseline cost of the project is estimated at no more than 9.5 billion US dollars.
Currently, official information regarding China's involvement in the second nuclear project, including the name of the company or partner country, technical configuration, capacity, or cost of the station, has not been published.