Energy production at the hydroelectric power station of Uzbekistan has decreased due to water scarcity

The Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan, Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov, during a speech in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, announced a decrease in the volume of electricity generation at the republic’s hydroelectric power plants. The main reason for this dynamic was the shortage of water resources in the region. This topic was raised by the representative of the UzLiDeP faction, Saydullo Azimov, who recalled that hydropower is traditionally considered one of the cheapest sources of generation.

Answering the deputy’s question, the head of the Ministry of Energy explained that this year the inflow of water to the republic has decreased by 35% compared to last year’s level. It is the small volume of water that does not allow large hydroelectric power plants to operate at full capacity. The official noted that the agency is working to increase the number of small and micro hydropower plants. Due to the launch of such facilities with a capacity of up to 5 MW, 140 million kWh were generated, but the minister described this amount as insignificant.

According to Mirzamakhmudov, the development of hydropower in the country will continue, but due to the direct dependence of the industry on natural factors, the emphasis is on alternative sources – solar, wind and energy storage systems. This approach is necessary to reduce gas consumption. The government also plans to build pumped storage stations, agreements on which were reached with China in September. At the same time, the minister stressed that the construction of a large hydroelectric power plant takes from 6 to 10 years, therefore, in the short term, the most cost-effective and fastest way to ensure energy supply remains “green” energy.

The situation with water scarcity also affects interstate cooperation. Earlier, Kyrgyz Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibraev said that the countries of the region, with the support of the World Bank REMIT program, are working to increase the capacity of power transmission lines in border areas. Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov, in turn, announced plans to supply 2.6 billion kWh of electricity to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. This measure is aimed at meeting Uzbekistan’s water needs for irrigation during the growing season.

The increase in electricity supplies to neighbors is due to the fact that due to the almost complete absence of precipitation in the summer months, the water was significantly less than normal. Thanks to the active energy exchange, domestic farmers did not feel an acute shortage of irrigation resources in the summer. The head of the Ministry of Energy emphasized that Uzbekistan has moved from the status of a net importer to a positive balance and has become a net exporter of electricity. This was achieved through the creation of additional reserves and the introduction of new energy capacities.

As part of this strategy, electricity supplies to Tajikistan began last week. The daily export volume is up to 2 million kWh and can be increased as the technical capabilities of the Uzbek energy system grow.

Original (in Russian): Выработка энергии на ГЭС Узбекистана снизилась из-за дефицита воды