Wedoany.com Report-May 15, In Saint Petersburg, Russia, AEM-Special Steels has successfully cast a 205-tonne ingot of special alloy steel, marking a key step in producing a small modular reactor (SMR) for Uzbekistan. This metallurgical blank will be sent to other facilities within Rosatom’s division for further processing to assemble the reactor vessel. 

The steel will be used to craft a flange for the RITM-200N reactor vessel, enabling a secure connection between the vessel and the upper unit’s top head. This component is essential for the reactor’s functionality. “The transition to the practical implementation of the construction project in Uzbekistan demonstrates the high interest of foreign partners and their trust in Rosatom’s solutions in this area. Our expertise and competencies will be applied in the manufacture of all six RITM-200N reactor units,” said Igor Kotov, head of Rosatom’s Mechanical Engineering Division.

In May 2024, during a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Uzbekistan and Russia signed a contract to build a 330 MW nuclear power plant in the Jizzakh region. The plant will consist of six RITM-200N water-cooled reactors, adapted from technology used in nuclear-powered icebreakers. Each reactor has a thermal power of 190 MW, produces 55 MWe, and is designed for a 60-year service life. The first unit is expected to become operational in late 2029, with subsequent units commissioned progressively.

This project marks Russia’s first export order for an SMR. A similar land-based SMR is under construction in Yakut, Russia, with its first unit set to launch in 2027. Rosatom emphasizes that the SMR’s combination of active and passive safety systems ensures high safety standards, making it a reliable choice for energy production.

Preparatory work for the Uzbekistan project began in April 2025, focusing on constructing buildings to support the SMR’s administration and construction. The Jizzakh region is being developed to accommodate this innovative energy initiative, which aims to provide sustainable power.

Additionally, Uzbekistan and Russia have a 2017 agreement to explore building two VVER-1200 pressurized water reactors. Separate discussions continue for a potential large-scale nuclear power plant with a capacity of approximately 2.5 GW, further expanding their energy collaboration.

The SMR project in Uzbekistan highlights the growing interest in compact, efficient nuclear solutions, with Rosatom’s expertise driving the production of reliable reactor components for international partners.