Azim Akhmadkhodjayev, director of Uzbekistan’s Uzatom agency, used an international forum in Antalya, Turkey, to explain why the planned Jizzakh nuclear power plant will combine two large VVER-1000 units of the “3+” generation with a small RITM-200N reactor unit in an integrated configuration exceeding 2 GW. According to him, the design is intended to balance reliable baseload generation with the preservation of a sensitive water balance in the Jizzakh region. The remarks were made at the World Atomic Days forum.
Key Takeaways: The Jizzakh plant is planned around two VVER-1000 units plus a small RITM-200N block, with total capacity above 2 GW. The large units are expected to cover more than 15% of Uzbekistan’s total electricity consumption, while the small unit is meant to offset fluctuations from solar and wind generation. A dry cooling system is to minimize the plant’s water demand.
The project is being presented against the backdrop of Central Asia’s arid climate, where water conservation is a central test for energy infrastructure. For Jizzakh, where the water balance is especially delicate, avoiding conventional water-intensive cooling has been framed as a priority. Akhmadkhodjayev said the model aligns with what he described as the balance between human development and protection of the Earth’s ecosystem. The discussion comes as Uzbekistan pursues long-term plans to strengthen energy security and reduce carbon emissions.
“Our model is precisely adapted to the philosophy of balance between human progress and preservation of the Earth’s ecosystem. Large-capacity units provide large-scale baseload generation and, according to calculations, cover more than 15% of the republic’s total electricity consumption. Small-capacity units serve as a technological balance, compensating for generation declines when solar and wind stations operate unevenly and giving the energy system the necessary flexibility,” he said.
On water use, the Uzatom director added: “We have no right at all to draw water from nature. That is why our project uses an advanced dry cooling system. Heat is removed not through water evaporation but through air. This reduces the station’s need for water resources to an absolute minimum and preserves the delicate water balance of the placement region in Jizzakh province.” The approach is likely to be watched closely in a region where water scarcity is a persistent concern.
Earlier reports said construction of the plant’s two large power units in Jizzakh could begin in 2027. Technical and economic studies, safety requirements and environmental monitoring are expected to continue before that stage. The integrated configuration is positioned as a way to improve the resilience of Uzbekistan’s power system while limiting pressure on regional water resources; further official details on scheduling and financing are pending.
Source: kun.uz