Russia’s nuclear power company Rosatom has commenced manufacturing reactor equipment for Uzbekistan’s first small nuclear power plant (SNPP), marking a significant milestone in the bilateral nuclear energy cooperation between the two countries.
At Rosatom’s AEM-Spetsstal metallurgical plant, part of its Machine-Building Division, engineers cast a 205-ton ingot of special alloy steel. This will be used to produce the flange for the RITM-200N reactor vessel—a critical part of the SNPP, which is being constructed in Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh region according to a Russian design.
The announcement was made during a presentation at the Power Uzbekistan 2025 International Exhibition, attended by key figures from Uzbekistan’s energy sector, including government officials and industry experts. The steel casting marks the official start of reactor manufacturing.
“The transition to practical implementation of the SNPP project highlights international trust in Rosatom’s small nuclear technologies,” said Igor Kotov, Head of Rosatom’s Machine-Building Division. “We will utilize our extensive experience with the RITM series to manufacture all six RITM-200N reactor units for Uzbekistan.”
The RITM-200N reactor, originally developed for Russia’s nuclear-powered icebreakers such as Arktika, Sibir, and Yakutia, has been adapted for land use. Each unit provides up to 55 MW of power with a projected service life of up to 60 years.
The SNPP project in Uzbekistan will include six of these reactors, totaling 330 MW of installed capacity. The plant is designed to operate in varied climatic conditions and support the country’s growing energy demands.
Preparatory work began in summer 2024, with the first meeting of the Construction Headquarters held at the future plant site. In April 2025, construction began on the construction and assembly base, which will house administrative buildings, warehouses, and large-scale assembly workshops necessary for the SNPP’s development.
The contract for the plant’s construction was signed in May 2024 during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Uzbekistan. Atomstroyexport (Rosatom’s Engineering Division) and Uzbekistan’s State Enterprise Directorate for Nuclear Power Plant Construction finalized the deal during the bilateral meeting.
Rosatom’s Engineering Division, which oversees the SNPP project, is a global leader in nuclear energy construction, responsible for the majority of NPPs under simultaneous construction worldwide. Around 80% of its revenue comes from international projects, reinforcing Russia’s role as a key player in global nuclear infrastructure.
The SNPP is expected to enhance Uzbekistan’s energy mix, reduce carbon emissions, and build local expertise in nuclear technology, all while deepening Russia-Uzbekistan strategic energy cooperation.
AEM-Spetsstal is the flagship enterprise producing metallurgical blanks for nuclear power installations and icebreaker fleets. The flange, now under production, connects the reactor vessel with its upper cover—a critical component for the reactor’s safety and performance.
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