Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom has officially commenced production of reactor equipment for the first unit of a small modular nuclear power plant (SMR) under construction in Uzbekistan, based on a Russian design.

At the AEM-Spetsstal metallurgical facility, part of Rosatom’s Mechanical Engineering Division, a 205-ton ingot of specially alloyed steel was cast. This ingot will be used to manufacture the flange of the RITM-200N reactor pressure vessel intended for Uzbekistan’s SMR.

The launch of this production phase was showcased during the Power Uzbekistan 2025 International Exhibition. The event was attended by representatives of Uzbekistan’s energy sector, including experts and officials from key ministries and agencies. According to the organizers, the steel casting process marks the effective beginning of reactor manufacturing. Once all metallurgical processes at AEM-Spetsstal are complete, the preform will be sent to other division facilities for final assembly of the reactor vessel.

Igor Kotov, Head of Rosatom’s Mechanical Engineering Division, emphasized that the transition to the practical stage of implementation highlights growing international interest in small nuclear technologies and reflects the trust placed in Rosatom’s engineering solutions. He noted that the division has the expertise and resources necessary to manufacture RITM-series units, which have already been successfully deployed in Russia’s nuclear-powered fleet. These competencies will be applied in the production of all six RITM-200N reactors for Uzbekistan’s SMR.

The project stems from an agreement signed on 27 May 2024, during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Uzbekistan. In the presence of both heads of state, a protocol was signed amending the intergovernmental agreement to expand bilateral cooperation and formalize the terms for building a SMR in Uzbekistan. On the same day, Atomstroyexport JSC (Rosatom’s engineering division) and the State Enterprise “Nuclear Power Plant Construction Directorate” under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan signed a contract for the plant’s construction.

The SMR project involves building a 330-megawatt nuclear power plant in Jizzakh Region, comprising six reactor units with a capacity of 55 megawatts each. Preparatory work began in the summer of 2024. In June, the inaugural meeting of the Construction Headquarters was held at the plant site to identify key priorities and ensure adherence to the project timeline. In April 2025, construction began on an auxiliary base, which will house administrative and industrial facilities, storage warehouses, and large-module assembly workshops necessary to support the main construction activities.