In Uzbekistan, the growing economic development is demanding additional power generation capacities. The country's leadership is actively seeking ways to improve the existing electricity sector, including involving private operators to manage regional electric grids.
The production, transmission, and distribution of electricity are planned to be divided among separate companies, opening opportunities for attracting new investments. Over the past five years, $4.3 billion has been invested in electricity production, creating new capacities totaling 5.7 gigawatts, according to a statement from the press service of the President of Uzbekistan.
Four companies in the sector – JSC "Uzbek National Electric Grids", "Regional Electric Grids", "Thermal Power Stations", and "Uzbekhydroenergo" – have already received international credit ratings.
The next step is to transform them into competitive companies, which will ensure reliable electricity supply to consumers and allow them to independently attract investments.
As emphasized during a meeting held by Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the primary task of each energy sector enterprise is to reduce costs. This can be achieved through project optimization, loss reduction, and procurement improvement.
It is estimated that transferring distribution networks to investors based on private partnership will attract $4 billion for their modernization. To this end, it is planned to involve private operators in managing the networks in the Samarkand, Jizzakh, and Syrdarya regions next year.
Next year has been designated as a year of rational resource use and efficiency for energy enterprises. The goal is to transform and digitize the operations of the industry down to the grassroots level.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
November 6, 2024