Breakthrough: unique Hungarian technology to protect Uzbeks from a nuclear disaster

Before the end of the year, an agreement is expected to be signed on the application of the unique Hungarian “dry cooling” technology in Uzbekistan’s upcoming nuclear power plant, announced Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on Friday in Samarkand.

Unique Hungarian technology to protect Uzbekistan

According to a statement from the ministry, following the UNESCO General Assembly, the minister held bilateral talks with his Azerbaijani, Georgian, and Uzbek counterparts. He described it as a major milestone that Uzbekistan’s new nuclear power plant will very likely use Hungarian dry cooling technology.

“It is good news that by the end of this year, an agreement will be signed ensuring that this unique Hungarian technology will be part of Uzbekistan’s emerging nuclear project,” he said, according to the Hungarian News Agency.

• Uzbek airline may launch direct flight between Budapest and New York

Uzbekistan currently has no operating nuclear power plants. The new facility, which will employ Hungarian dry cooling technology, will consist of six small modular reactor units built by Rosatom. The Uzbek and Russian presidents signed a cooperation agreement on this last year. According to plans, the new plant will supply a significant proportion of the country’s electricity needs for around 60 years.

Uzbekistan aims for 40% of its electricity production to come from renewable sources by 2030, with several large solar and wind power plants planned for the coming years. In addition, the country is preparing for the construction of a larger nuclear power plant, also to be built by Rosatom.

How does the groundbreaking Hungarian technology work?

The essence of the Hungarian dry cooling technology—critical for nuclear power plant safety—is its ability to passively cool the reactor without an energy supply. This provides a significant advantage for plants such as Zaporizhzhia, which was endangered when attacks disconnected it from the power grid for weeks, forcing reliance on diesel generators for cooling and greatly increasing vulnerability. Power supply was finally restored on 23 October.

The dry cooling technology can prevent reactor overheating and severe accidents without the need for water or electricity. It relies on air for cooling instead of water, making it independent of water resources. This ensures more stable and safer cooling, particularly in emergencies such as power outages or loss of cooling water. Moreover, it enables nuclear plants to be built in water-scarce regions.

• From tragedy to global policy: Uzbekistan’s initiative for an International Day of Remembrance for earthquake victims

Hungary may sell Uzbek, Azerbaijani oil, natural gas

In Samarkand, Péter Szijjártó welcomed the fact that cooperation with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan places Hungary in a completely new position in the international energy market. Hungarian companies have acquired stakes in local gas and oil fields, allowing Hungary not only to act as a buyer but also as a seller “of hundreds of millions of cubic metres of natural gas and hundreds of thousands of tonnes of oil.”

“This represents a completely different dimension and greatly enhances Hungary’s energy security,” he said.

• Click for more Uzbekistan-related news.

The minister explained that Hungary did not begin building relations with Central Asia and the Caucasus recently, but fifteen years ago, when Europeans mocked Hungary for “doing business with dictatorships.”

“Today, European leaders are eager to visit this part of the world and cherish photographs with local presidents. This is no surprise, as Central Asia and the Caucasus are among the fastest-growing regions globally,” he highlighted.

“And we Hungarians have greatly benefited from building our relationships here over the past fifteen years on the basis of mutual respect—without lecturing anyone or thinking we should tell people how to live—a respect that is highly appreciated in this part of the world,” he continued.

Hungarian government expresses support for new Caucasian patriots

Finally, the minister reported on his talks with his Georgian counterpart, noting that Georgia’s case clearly demonstrates the double standards typical of Brussels’ politics.

“In Georgia, a patriotic party that pursues national interests and upholds peace, family, and conservative patriotic principles won the recent local elections. Yet the European Union and Brussels are doing everything possible to undermine this patriotic Georgian government, seeking to impose sanctions and revoke visa-free travel for Georgians,” he warned.

“I made it clear to my Georgian colleague that as long as Hungary has a national government, we will certainly veto any initiative imposing sanctions or ending visa-free travel with Georgia,” he emphasised.