A new technology using drones is set to be deployed for the remote monitoring of radiation measurements at former uranium mining and processing areas in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with gamma spectrometers have been developed by a German consortium in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

An International Atomic Energy Agency team of experts has concluded a 12-day mission to Uzbekistan to review its development of infrastructure for a nuclear power programme. The Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review was carried out at the invitation of the government of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan is "making great strides" in developing its nuclear and regulatory infrastructure in strong partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency, Uzbek Minister of Energy Alisher Sultanov told participants in the 64th IAEA General Conference yesterday. Speaking via video-link to the annual event in Vienna, Sultanov provided an update on the Central Asian country’s new nuclear power programme.

A high-level panel of senior political figures and experts from leading international energy organisations yesterday discussed how nuclear energy can address some of the most pressing issues the world is facing. The discussion took place during the first session of World Nuclear Association's Strategic eForum 2020.

The leadership of the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan met with a Hungarian delegation to Tashkent last month, during which they discussed Hungary's willingness for partnership in the energy sector.

The Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan has announced the development of a national Low-Carbon Energy Strategy with assistance from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and international consulting company Corporate Solutions. Uzbekistan plans to develop alternative energy sources, including solar, hydro and wind, to produce electricity with low-carbon emissions. Uzbekistan also plans to build Central Asia’s first nuclear power plant, to provide the country with "uninterrupted and high-quality electricity on an industrial scale", the ministry said.

Uzbekistan's Ministry of Energy has published a detailed 'Concept Note' outlining its strategy on electrical generation to the year 2030. The document anticipates a sharp reduction in the country's reliance on gas-fired power generation from the current 83% to 50%, and sets goals for new nuclear, solar and wind power production of 15%, 8% and 7%, respectively.

The president of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, last week chaired a meeting on plans to reform fully state-owned enterprise Navoy Mining and Metallurgical Plant. The country's largest industrial enterprise, NMMP produces gold, uranium and rare metals as well as other products.

A crucial aspect of developing nuclear infrastructure is the study of, and cooperation with, countries with both developed and developing nuclear capabilities, Alisher Sultanov, Uzbekistan’s energy minister, said today. Speaking at the third International Conference on Nuclear Security - Sustaining and Strengthening Efforts, hosted by the International Atomic Energy Agency at its headquarters in Vienna, Sultanov said Uzbekistan is in talks on cooperation with regulators in Belarus, Finland, the UAE, the USA, and other countries. This cooperation, he said, builds on Uzbekistan's ongoing dialogue with regulators in Russia.

Uzbekistan has signed contracts worth more than USD1 billion for the supply of uranium to Japan, Kun.uz reported yesterday, without stating its source. The contracts were signed as part of the December visit of the president of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to Japan.

Four projects aimed at building up Uzbekistan's technical capacity, human resources, developing nuclear infrastructure, and strengthening nuclear and radiation safety have been approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors. The Central Asian country aims to have two nuclear power reactors in operation by 2030.

Orano has formally established a joint venture company with Uzbekistan's State Committee on Geological and Mineral Resources. The new company, Nurlikum Mining, will conduct mineral exploration and mining activities in the Central Asian country.