IAEA and Uzatom Jointly Hold Workshop on SMR Deployment Modeling Tools

Recently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Uzbekistan Agency for Atomic Energy (Uzatom) jointly held a national workshop on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) deployment modeling tools at Uzatom headquarters.

The event brought together key experts from Uzbek government agencies, research institutes, design organizations, and the energy sector. Dr. Hadid·Subki, Technical Manager for SMR Technology Development at the IAEA, Dr. Vladimir·Artisyuk, Senior Nuclear Energy Expert, and a specially invited expert from Sweden attended the event. In his opening remarks, Artisyuk highly praised Uzbekistan's systematic approach, government support, and firm determination to deploy modern technologies in advancing its national nuclear energy program.

It is understood that the first day of the meeting focused on the strategic direction of Uzbekistan's nuclear energy development, SMR technology progress, and an integrated overview of the integral pressurized water reactor (iPWR). The IAEA expert team systematically introduced advanced fuel design, innovative nuclear fuel cycles, and modern methods of economic forecasting, and demonstrated simulator functions for education and training. During the open discussion session, participating delegates engaged in in-depth exchanges on the practical application of modeling tools and their role in ensuring project safety and effectiveness.

According to the agenda, subsequent hands-on training will continue at the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI Tashkent Branch. The closing day of the workshop will focus on how to closely align Uzatom's education and training programs with relevant IAEA activities, and assess the feasibility of establishing an IAEA SMR Cooperation Center in Uzbekistan. Industry experts noted that such high-level international exchanges and systematic training will accelerate the development of a professional talent cultivation system, laying a solid foundation for Uzbekistan to safely and efficiently deploy SMR technology.