Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Uzbekistan on May 26 to meet with his counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev. One of the topics high on the leaders’ discussion list was energy. In addition to Russia reportedly being open to broader gas supply cooperation with Uzbekistan, the two countries also signed a protocol amending an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the construction of a nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan in the presence of the two heads of state. The amendment expanded cooperation to include the use of small modular reactor (SMR) technology, according to ROSATOM, Russia’s state-owned atomic energy company. On the sidelines of the event were the joint-stock company Atomstroyexport (the engineering division of ROSATOM) and the State Unitary Directorate for the Construction of Nuclear Power Plants under Uzatom, the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan. , signed a contract for the construction of the SMR factory. ROSATOM said it will be the general contractor for the construction of the factory, while local companies will also be involved in the construction process.
