Uzbekistan Hydropower Capacity Reaches 2.5 Gigawatts After Strategic Expansion

Uzbekistan is accelerating the development of its hydropower sector, with the state-owned monopoly Uzbekhydroenergo recording a significant increase in generating capacity and financial performance for the first three quarters of the year. Data presented at a government briefing in Tashkent indicates a strategic expansion of the country’s renewable energy infrastructure.

The number of hydropower plants in the republic has increased from 36 to 106 in recent years, bringing total installed capacity to 2.5 gigawatts. This expansion has directly impacted output, with stations generating over 6.6 billion kilowatt-hours of energy between January and September. This production level exceeded planned targets by 20 percent and represents a 24 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The total value of the electricity produced is estimated at 3 trillion soums, with daily generation reaching a record high of over 50 million kilowatt-hours.

Infrastructure modernization and the acquisition of external capital have driven these performance gains. Current initiatives focus on strengthening financial stability and rationalizing the use of water resources. The monopoly aims to enhance its investment appeal by reducing operating costs and implementing digital solutions across technological processes – a strategy designed to improve long-term efficiency.

Financial records show a total investment of $151.9 million utilized during the reporting period. Direct foreign investment accounted for $48.7 million, nearly 1.5 times the original forecasts. Uzbekhydroenergo funded the remaining $103.2 million of its investment program from internal reserves. These funds supported the completion of nine energy projects with a combined capacity of 74.3 megawatts, resulting in the creation of approximately 120 jobs.

Import substitution initiatives have resulted in the production of industrial goods valued at 576.3 billion soums, including 177.2 billion soums from eight projects focused on localizing equipment and components. Operational optimizations saved the monopoly more than 156 billion soums. Future efforts will focus on establishing international partnerships for technology transfer to further maximize the hydropower potential of Uzbekistan.