Hungary has proposed to set up manufacturing of dry cooling systems (cooling towers) for nuclear power plants in Uzbekistan, Uzatom’s Director Azim Akhmedkhadjaev told the Uzbekistan 24.
Earlier, during the trip of the President Mirziyoyev to Hungary, Uzatom and the Hungarian MVM EGI signed MoM on cooperation in the field of nuclear energy .
"Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed to implement the high-end energy-saving technologies for nuclear power plants. Hungary has a highly developed dry cooling system [for nuclear power plants]. This will minimize the use of water for cooling reactors," Akhmedkhadjaev said.
MVM EGI will supply and implement dry cooling systems for nuclear power plants. Furthermore, the parties agreed on scientific research, localization of technologies and the creation of the necessary infrastructure. The plans also include organizing programs for training and advanced training of specialists.
"We will start manufacturing these systems next year. Furthermore, our partners from Hungary have proposed to study the possibilities of manufacturing these systems in Uzbekistan. A large delegation will arrive next month for this purpose. Having studied all the possibilities, we will start organizing manufacturing," the head of Uzatom said.
Earlier, Azim Akhmedkhadjaev said that the Uzbekistan small-scale nuclear power plant is going ahead of schedule, the first concrete is planned to be laid in the second quarter of 2026. He also noted that French and Chinese technologies are being considered for the plant, and the IAEA is monitoring the project. "It's not just about building a poultry farm," he said.
Last year in August, an Uzatom delegation visited China, where they met with Chinese companies that had voiced a desire to join the project, that is, to supply turbine equipment, generators and dry cooling towers (a device for cooling NPP equipment without evaporating water).
In February, Akhmedkhadzhayev said that “non-standard approaches” would be involved in the small NPP project in the country, such as dry cooling towers of Hungarian or Chinese origin.
