President Shavkat Mirziyoyev today signed a Measures to Develop Nuclear Power in Uzbekistan Decree creating UzAtom, the Uzbek Agency for Nuclear Energy under the Cabinet of Ministers.
The document was adopted with the aim to meet the growing needs of the public and the economy in electricity through increasing generating capacities, diversifying the energy sector, peaceful use of nuclear energy and implementing innovative technologies in this area.
According to the document, UzAtom will be owned by the state and will be responsible for preparing and implementing of coordinated national policies and strategic areas in the use of nuclear energy.
The agency will be the part of the Cabinet of Ministers' complex on geology, fuel and energy complex, chemical, petrochemical and metallurgical industries.
The agency will be financed from the state budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan and other sources not prohibited by law.
UzAtom will prepare proposals for the national policies in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy, including the regulations and legal framework.
The agency will develop and implement Uzbekistan's nuclear energy development programs and draw investments, including foreign direct investments, for the nuclear energy projects.
UzAtom will be entitled to enter into agreements and contracts for the design, construction and operation of nuclear power facilities while implementing modern technologies and equipment that meet the international industrial and environmental safety requirements.
The agency will also develop and implement comprehensive measures to develop nuclear science and technologies, R&D, innovations and implement high-end technologies.
The agency is instructed to ensure the non-proliferation of nuclear materials and technologies, radioactive materials, implement measures for physical protection and ensuring nuclear and radiation safety.
The President instructed to draft the Use of Atomic Energy For Peaceful Purposes bill, the draft Uzbekistan's Nuclear Energy Development Concept for 2019-2029, the portfolio of investment projects for development of nuclear energy in Uzbekistan and the draft Uzbekistan's Nuclear Energy Development Program for 2019-2029.
