Uzatom, France's Assystem to create JV for technical support of NPP construction in Uzbekistan
TASHKENT. Sept 19 (Interfax) - The Uzbek Atomic Energy Agency (Uzatom) and the French company Assystem will create a joint venture (JV) for the technical support of the construction of a nuclear power plant in the country, Uzatom said.
According to the agency's press service, Uzatom and Assystem signed a memorandum of intent in June 2025 which envisages the creation of a joint venture. "The activities of the joint venture will include technical support for the NPP construction project, as well as support for projects related to the development of Uzbekistan's civilian nuclear program," it said.
Uzatom Director Azim Akhmedkhajaev met with the regional advisor on nuclear affairs at the French Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty Ministry, Alexander Gorbachev, and the French Ambassador to Uzbekistan Walid Fouk, Uzatom's press service said.
"The parties discussed cooperation with French companies, issues of project implementation by the agency and prospects for the development of nuclear energy in Uzbekistan," it said.
Assystem is one of the world's largest engineering companies operating in the field of nuclear energy.
As reported, Atomstroyexport, the engineering division of Rosatom, and Uzatom's Department for the Construction of Nuclear Power Plants concluded a contract in May 2024 for constructing a low-capacity NPP with six reactors with a capacity of 55 MW each. The project was later changed. "Today, specific economic parameters are being discussed. Two units of 1,000 MW and two units of 55 MW," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said in June 2025. Rosatom later said that the project for a high-capacity NPP in Uzbekistan provides for the construction of two VVER-1000 power units with the possibility of expansion to four power units.
In 2023, it was also reported that Rosatom was discussing the possibility of using dry cooling tower technology in the NPP construction project with Uzbekistan, which is experiencing water problems. The technology implies the absence of water evaporation in the process of reactor cooling. In July this year, it was reported that Uzatom was planning to create a joint venture with Hungarian partners for the large-unit assembly of dry cooling towers for NPPs.
