The President of Uzbekistan has launched the work of four more small hydropower plants
At the International Congress Center in Tashkent, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the ceremony of the start of construction of the next projects in the energy sector and the launch of new power capacities, including four small hydropower plants, the presidential press service reports.
In his speech, the head of state noted that this event is a historic one in the energy sector, as new capacities worth $ 3.7 billion are being launched, as well as the construction of six new projects is beginning.
In particular, five solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of about 2.3 thousand megawatts, as well as five high-voltage substations are being launched in Bukhara, Navoi, Namangan and Tashkent regions.
For the first time in Uzbekistan, large storage systems with a capacity of 300 megawatts have been built in Andijan and Fergana.
In addition, an electric station with a capacity of 400 megawatts is being commissioned in Kashkadarya, and a modern cogeneration unit is being built in Tashkent. Four small hydroelectric power stations are starting to operate in Andijan, Surkhandarya and Tashkent regions.
As a new stage of cooperation with foreign partners in Fergana, Samarkand, Navoi, Tashkent regions and Tashkent, the construction of six electric facilities with a total cost of 3.5 billion dollars and a capacity of 2.5 thousand megawatts begins.
The launch of these capacities and the implementation of new projects will allow next year to additionally produce 9.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, save 2.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas and avoid emissions of 4.6 million tons of harmful gases.
In general, 84 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity will be produced next year, which is 25 billion kilowatt-hours or 1.5 times more than in 2016.
The projects are implemented with reliable partners such as Masdar, Acwa Power, Aksa Energy, as well as with companies from China and Germany.
“Considering that all these projects are financed through foreign direct investment, this is a clear confirmation of trust in us and the reforms we are carrying out,” the President of Uzbekistan said.
Special thanks were expressed to the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as well as the World Bank for financial and technical assistance in the implementation of these projects.
It was noted that today’s projects are an integral part of the large-scale reforms initiated in the energy sector 8 years ago.
During this period, Uzbekistan has made significant steps in the development of “green energy”.
As a result of the wide opening to the private sector, almost $20 billion of foreign direct investment has been attracted to the energy sector over the past 5 years.
Previously fully state-owned, the system now includes 24 independent energy producers.
As of today, 16 large solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 3.5 thousand megawatts or equivalent output of 10 billion kilowatt-hours have been commissioned in the green energy sector.
Due to this, the share of “green energy” in 2024 was increased to 16%. This means that in a short period of time, the capacity of environmentally friendly energy has been increased by 2-3 times.
As part of the Paris Agreement, Uzbekistan has committed to reduce emissions of harmful gases by 35% by 2030. The President of the country stated that he was ready to expand this commitment until 2050.
In addition, 2025 was declared the “Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy” in Uzbekistan.
The Head of State briefly dwelt on plans to bring reforms in the energy sector to a new stage.
By 2030, it is planned to build another 19 thousand megawatts of “green capacity”, which will increase the share of renewable energy to 54%. In particular, 18 solar and wind power plants with a capacity of 3.4 thousand megawatts and storage systems with a capacity of 1.8 thousand megawatts will be commissioned in 2025.
As a result, the production of “green energy” will reach 12 billion kilowatt-hours next year.
This is equivalent to the annual consumption of 5 million households and will prevent emissions of 6.5 million tons of harmful gases into the atmosphere.
Over the next two years, a large-scale program will be implemented to create more than 2 thousand small and micro-hydroelectric power plants jointly with private entrepreneurs.
In addition, support for the entry of the private sector into the industry will continue and great steps have been taken to create an electricity market.
In particular, by the end of next year it is planned to create a wholesale electricity market using competition.
In addition, public-private partnerships will be widely implemented not only in large power plants, but also in other areas of the industry.
Regional and international cooperation will be expanded in the field of “green energy”.
As the first practical step in this direction, within the framework of COP29, the first agreement was signed with partners from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia on the export of “green energy” to the European region.
A single platform with neighboring countries will be created to ensure the sustainability of the regional energy system.
“Green energy” is becoming a new driver for the rapid development of other industries and improving the standard of living of the population. In particular, there is a great interest on the part of the population and local entrepreneurs in this area.
In order to stimulate such enterprises in regional development programs, the share of “green projects” will be increased 5 times over the next 5 years.
In this direction, cooperation with industrial enterprises will be expanded within the framework of the dual education system in technical schools, and advanced engineering schools will be created in 5 universities.
In addition, research and development cooperation with leading companies in the energy, metallurgy, chemical and electrical industries will be expanded.
“I want to assure all of you: The New Uzbekistan is a country that provides comprehensive guarantees for investments, fully supports your projects and initiatives, protects the interests of foreign partners and is open to the world,” the president said at the end of his speech.
The Head of State pressed a symbolic button, launching completed facilities and starting the construction of new projects.
