| NEWS Uzbek reactor plans


Uzbekistan is exploring the possibility of building two Russian-designed NPPs, one of large capacity and one of smaller capacity, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said during a reception at the Uzbekistan Embassy in Moscow marking the Uzbekistan’s Independence Day. “This would be the first project of its kind in Central Asia,” Ryabkov said. He noted that successful implementation of the initiative would allow Uzbekistan to “achieve a new technological breakthrough” and represent an important step in the development of bilateral cooperation in the energy sector. Uzbekistan and Russia signed an


intergovernmental agreement on the NPP construction in 2018. The agreement covered the full cycle – from design and construction to operation and eventual decommissioning – for a plant with two power units equipped with Russian VVER reactors, each with a capacity of up to 1200 MWe. In May 2024, the initial arrangements were


revised and it was decided to begin with a small-scale nuclear project. Amendments to the agreement preserved the plan for the large plant while simultaneously introducing a small modular reactor plant in the Jizzah region, featuring six of Rosatom’s 55 MWe RITM-200N water-cooled reactors. Preparatory work is already under way for the first two units. Atomstroyexport (Rosatom’s Engineering Division) was designated general contractor, with local companies also participating. The topic of the large plant was raised


again in March, during talks between Rosatom and Uzatom, which included it on the agenda


United States Fermi America files for IPO Fermi America, which is developing a private grid campus designed to power the growing demands of artificial intelligence (AI) in Amarillo, Texas, filed a Registration Statement with the US Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to a proposed initial public offering (IPO). Fermi America, co-founded by former US


Energy Secretary Rick Perry and former Co- Managing Partner of Quantum Energy, Toby Neugebauer, is developing the planned 11 GWe hyperscale data centre complex, known as Project Matador, in partnership with the Texas Tech University System. Fermi plans to use a range of on-site power


sources, including natural gas, solar, wind, and nuclear energy. Natural gas will be the primary power source in the short term with nuclear eventually becoming the primary supplier of energy to the site. Fermi plans to deploy four Westinghouse AP1000 reactors at the campus, and in an attempt to streamline the permitting


for joint discussions. In June, the two sides signed an agreement defining the terms for implementing the large NPP projec. According to the agreement, construction is planned for two VVER-1000 units, with the possibility of expanding to four units in the future. A joint working group has been established


to prepare the project, tasked with conducting a detailed analysis of key parameters, calculating construction costs, and formulating a final decision. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed officials in March 2026 to begin pouring first concrete at the construction site of the NPP in Jizzakh region, signalling the official launch of the project. Meanwhile, Uzbek and Russian official held a meeting in Tashkent to discuss nuclear safety. Russia’s Federal State Budgetary Institution (NTTs YaRB) and Uzbekistan’s State Institution Scientific & Technical Centre for Radiation & Nuclear Safety (NTTs RYaB) took part in the talks. They discussed issues related to the prospects for cooperation between scientific and technical support organisations for state nuclear and radiation safety regulatory bodies on the organisation and conduct of safety examinations for NPPs under construction in Uzbekistan. Following the consultations, an agreement


was initialled between NTTs YaRB and NTTs RYaB to provide services for the analysis and evaluation of documents substantiating nuclear and radiation safety during the siting and construction of Uzbekistan’s first NPP unit. The document was signed by Sergey Shevchenko, Deputy Director of NTTs YaRB and Ibrahim Tashkent, Director of NTTs RYaB. ■


process, Fermi has partnered with Westinghouse to finalise the Combined Operating Licence Application (COLA) with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). NRC’s acceptance of the COLA is the first


application the regulator has received for a gigawatt-scale light water reactor since 2009. The next regulatory step for Fermi America will be the submission of the site-specific information needed for part three of the COLA. The NRC’s schedule sets 28 February 2026, as the deadline for an environmental impact statement and 31 December 2026, for the final submission. Fermi America currently plans to deploy its


first AP1000 in 2032, with the next three coming in 2034, 2035, and 2036. Fermi has also signed two memoranda of understanding with South Korean firms Hyundai and Doosan Enerbility to support the deployment of the reactors on the site. Westinghouse is not directly involved in the construction of any of its AP1000 projects, preferring to use contractors.


round up


UPGRADES FRAMATOME HAS SIGNED a contract for the maintenance and modernisation of electrical systems for the two VVER-1000 reactors at Bulgaria’s Kozloduy NPP. The maintenance work will be coordinated by Bulgarian subsidiary Framatome EOOD. The no break power supply systems at Kozloduy were first renovated by Framatome during a previous modernisation programme in the 2000s.


PLANT OPERATION US DEPARTMENT OF Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright has announced the release of the sixth loan disbursement to Holtec to help fund the restart of the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Covert Township, Michigan. DOE said this disburses $155,944,659 of the up to $1.52bn loan guarantee to Holtec for Palisades, which will be the first restart of a US commercial nuclear reactor in decommissioning, subject to US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approvals.


EQUIPMENT US START-UP Terra Innovatum has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Argentina’s Conuar for the supply of critical components to be used in the production of Terra Innovatum’s SOLO micro-modular nuclear reactor. Terra Innovatum and Conuar will conduct pilot programmes to evaluate the scope and pricing for Conuar to supply coolant tubs and plates, control rod mechanisms, fuel rods, and stainless steel and special alloy components.


DOOSAN ŠKODA POWER has won the public tender to supply new generators for the Temelín NPP in the Czech Republic. Their replacement will allow Temelín to continue increasing output while also strengthening regulation capabilities.  procurement process for the largest-ever investment in the NPP in 2023.


POLICY CROATIA IS CONSIDERING at least three small modular reactor (SMR) NPPs,  Croatia’s government has yet to determine  confirmed that the aim is to build at least three units, each consisting of multiple smaller modules. This decentralised model would reduce the need for long-distance electricity transmission and strengthen energy security.


www.neimagazine.com | October 2025 | 9


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