Uzbekistan is turning its nuclear energy ambitions into a powerful lever for industrial growth and investment, with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announcing that the country will soon start preparations for a second nuclear power plant, alongside the large integrated station already under construction in Jizzakh region.
The announcement was made in Khorezm region on 17 August during a ceremony launching new investment projects, underscoring that energy infrastructure is now at the heart of Uzbekistan’s macroregional development strategy and its effort to attract long term investors into manufacturing, construction, logistics and other capital intensive sectors.
Energy strategy to secure investors
Mirziyoyev linked the new nuclear agenda directly to investor confidence, stressing that large projects require not only stable electricity supply but also transparent and predictable operating conditions. According to him, the first question foreign investors ask is about power tariffs and guarantees for uninterrupted energy when they bring their capital into the country.
“Why do investors come here? What is their first question? ‘I will bring my investments, but what will be the price of electricity? What guarantees will I have?’ If we do not implement our strategy until 2030, do not ensure guaranteed electricity supply and do not take measures to reduce costs, who will come to us? No one ever,” Mirziyoyev said, outlining how the energy plan is inseparable from Uzbekistan’s broader investment climate.
While the potential location, capacity and deadlines for the second nuclear plant have not yet been disclosed, the signal to the market is clear: Uzbekistan is preparing to back investors with a more resilient and diversified energy mix, aiming to support new industrial clusters and large scale production, from building materials and interior products to household equipment and hotel infrastructure.
First nuclear plant becomes industrial anchor in Jizzakh
Uzbekistan’s first nuclear power plant is being built near Lake Tuzkan in the Forish district of Jizzakh region, on a site of about 525 hectares. The project is implemented with the participation of Russian state corporation Rosatom under a cooperation agreement on nuclear energy signed in December 2017 and further updated by two agreements in 2024 and 2025, which refined the configuration of the future station.
The current design combines two small power units with RITM 200N reactors, each with a capacity of 55 megawatts, and two large power units with VVER 1000 reactors. The total installed capacity of the complex is expected to reach about 2.1 gigawatts, turning the site into one of the country’s key energy hubs and an anchor for industrial development in Central Uzbekistan.
The launch of the power units is planned for the period from 2029 – 2035. By 2035, the plant is projected to generate around 15.2 billion kilowatt hours of electricity per year, which corresponds to roughly fifteen percent of Uzbekistan’s current total electricity consumption. This scale of generation can underpin extensive manufacturing capacities, logistics centers, construction materials plants and energy intensive production facilities that require reliable baseload power.
Construction of the first power unit formally started on 4 June 2026 with the participation of the presidents of Uzbekistan and Russia, signaling both the political commitment and the international partnership behind the project. For foreign businesses, this milestone indicates that the nuclear program has moved from discussion to implementation, reducing uncertainty around future energy availability.
Long term nuclear targets to reshape energy mix
Uzbekistan’s energy balance strategy to 2040 already anticipates a significant role for nuclear power. The document foresees an increase in the number of large reactors at the first plant from two to four, allowing the nuclear cluster to scale along with demand from industry and urban development.
According to plans by the Ministry of Energy, nuclear generation will enter the national grid for the first time in 2030 with an installed capacity of around 0.3 gigawatts. By 2035, nuclear capacity is expected to reach about 2 gigawatts, and by 2040, the country aims for roughly 4 gigawatts of nuclear power, surpassing coal generation in terms of installed capacity. This shift signals a long term transition toward a cleaner and more predictable energy base for factories, industrial parks and construction projects.
Earlier, the head of Uzatom, Azim Akhmedkhadjaev, mentioned the possibility of building a second large capacity nuclear power plant, noting that the initial project with two big power units could technically be expanded because the allocated site is sufficient to host more reactors. At that time, he emphasized that there were no concrete plans yet, but the vision has now evolved into a broader multi plant strategy aligned with the country’s energy balance goals.
Societal debate and regulatory safeguards
The nuclear plans have sparked active public debate in Uzbekistan, reflecting both ambitions and concerns in society. Supporters argue that the station will bring technological progress, strengthen the economy and make the country more attractive for advanced manufacturing and innovation driven investment.
Opponents point to the risks of environmental disasters and potential large scale misappropriation, highlighting the need for strong governance, transparent procurement and robust safety standards. These discussions have pushed authorities to pay more attention to regulatory quality and stakeholder engagement.
In December 2025, public hearings were held in the Forish district, where the first plant is located. The outcome of these consultations was deemed satisfactory by Uzatom, suggesting that regulators and project leaders are working to secure social acceptance while reinforcing the legal and institutional framework for nuclear operations. For investors, this process is a signal that Uzbekistan is aware of the reputational and environmental dimensions of nuclear energy and is attempting to address them.
Implications for international manufacturing and design companies
For international companies in furniture manufacturing, construction materials, interior and exterior solutions, home appliances, trade, design and architecture, Uzbekistan’s nuclear energy expansion is more than a technical story — it is a structural shift in the country’s business environment. Reliable, large scale baseload power is a prerequisite for industrial production, modern logistics, climate controlled warehousing, advanced retail formats and energy intensive manufacturing lines.
As nuclear capacity grows and the energy mix becomes more predictable, investors can plan medium and long term projects with greater confidence in electricity availability and cost stability. This opens space for new industrial parks near energy hubs, vertically integrated production chains in construction and interior sectors, and the localization of global furniture and decor brands that depend on stable power and clear regulatory frameworks. Even for companies that are not directly involved in energy, Uzbekistan’s nuclear trajectory signals a broader modernization of infrastructure and governance, making the market more promising for strategic expansion and long term investment.
