Procedures for responding to a radiation accident at a nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan have been established

In Uzbekistan, a procedure for actions to be taken in the event of a radiation accident or the threat of one has been established at a nuclear power plant (NPP). This procedure includes declaring an emergency, promptly exchanging information, and providing emergency assistance.

According to the document, two types of regimes can be introduced at a NPP: "Emergency Preparedness" and "Emergency State". The "Emergency Preparedness" regime is declared when there is a threat of a radiation accident. The "Emergency State" regime is introduced in the event of an accident to prevent its spread, reduce its consequences, and eliminate it.

The "Emergency Preparedness" regime is declared, among other things, when the conditions for the safe operation of the NPP are violated, when the radiation level reaches or exceeds the established criteria, as well as when events such as an earthquake, explosion, fire, and flood affect the plant's safety systems. The "emergency" mode is introduced when the radiation level reaches or exceeds the limit set for an accident, as well as when a decision is made to manage a severe accident.

The decision to declare these modes is made by the head of the NPP operating organization or a person acting on his behalf. If it is not possible to establish contact with them, this authority is delegated to the station shift manager. At the same time as the mode is declared, an action plan for protecting personnel is also activated.

The relevant state bodies must be immediately informed in writing or electronically about the accident or its threat. During the period of the mode, the operating organization shall provide the Committee for Industry, Radiation and Nuclear Safety and the Atomic Energy Agency with information on the radiation situation, NPP safety and measures being taken every 12 hours.

Internal and external emergency management headquarters are also established at the NPP. The internal headquarters operates in a protected control point on the territory of the plant, and the external headquarters in a safe place outside the territory of the NPP.

Facility-wide emergency drills must be conducted at the NPP at least once a year. At the end of the drills, an act is drawn up indicating the identified shortcomings, measures for their elimination, deadlines and responsible executors. This resolution comes into force from the date of official publication.

Earlier, it was reported that Uzbekistan is preparing for a second nuclear power plant project. Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced this on August 17 at the ceremony of launching new investment projects in the Khorezm region.

The planned location of the second NPP, its capacity and the project implementation period have not yet been disclosed. In December 2025, Uzatom head Azim Ahmedkhodjayev expressed the possibility of building a second large-capacity nuclear power plant, but noted that at that time there were no specific plans for its implementation.