Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko placed his country’s atomic expertise at Uzbekistan’s disposal this Wednesday (11), aiming to accelerate the Uzbek nuclear program currently under development with Russia.
During a meeting in Minsk with Uzbek Ambassador Rahmatulla Nazarov, Lukashenko guaranteed full technical support for the construction of the future plant in the Jizzak region, utilizing shared Russian experience as a common foundation.
Uzbekistan plans to replicate the “Ostrovets model,” the Belarusian nuclear city, seeking not only energy generation but the creation of a sophisticated urban and scientific infrastructure for specialists.
Exporting the Ostrovets model
Lukashenko’s proposal goes beyond supplying engineers; it is the sale of a “satellite city” concept dedicated exclusively to reactor operations.
Ambassador Nazarov highlighted that the Ostrovets model is the benchmark for the Farish district, where the Uzbek government intends to settle its technical and scientific elite.
The knowledge transfer is expected to focus on civil management and operational safety, areas where Belarus accumulated significant competence after completing its own plant with assistance from Russia’s Rosatom.
The nuclear triangle: Minsk, Tashkent, and Moscow
Belarusian involvement in the Uzbek project reinforces Russian influence in Central Asia, as the core technology for both nations originates in Moscow.
Lukashenko openly admitted that his capacity to offer aid stems from the learning acquired from the Russians, creating a unified technical ecosystem under Rosatom standards.
For Uzbekistan, having Belarusian specialists provides a way to diversify technical consultancy without breaking the technological alignment necessary to operate Russian reactors.
Energy transition and sovereignty in Central Asia
The construction of the plant in Jizzak is seen as the key to Uzbekistan’s energy independence, as the country faces growing industrial and domestic consumption demands.
Nuclear energy emerges as the baseload alternative to reduce dependence on natural gas and coal, aligning the country with climate goals and grid stability requirements.
The exchange with Belarus is set to begin with technical visits from the Uzbek team to Minsk to study construction logistics and the training of qualified human resources.
Safety and specialized urban infrastructure
One of the greatest challenges for nuclear projects in developing nations is talent retention and the creation of a safe environment for the families of operators.
The Belarusian experience in building nuclear villages provides a ready-made roadmap for Tashkent to avoid the social bottlenecks common in large, isolated construction sites.
The cooperation will include safety protocols and environmental monitoring, which are essential for public acceptance of the project in a region sensitive to water and seismic issues.
Energy geopolitics in 2026
The partnership between Minsk and Tashkent signals a strengthening of integration within the post-Soviet space in high-tech and high-value-added sectors.
By positioning himself as a senior consultant, Lukashenko seeks to project Belarus as an industrial technology hub, rather than merely a political satellite of Russia.
It remains to be seen whether the speed of Uzbek construction will keep pace with the urgency of its energy crisis or if financial and diplomatic challenges will dictate a different rhythm.
