Uzbekistan plans to attract $4 billion in investments to develop energy infrastructure and digital management over the next five years. This was discussed at a meeting on measures for the development of the electricity sector until 2035, held with the participation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on January 28, reports Fergana.
Mirziyoyev noted that over the past eight years, electricity production in the country has increased by 38%, reaching 81.5 billion kilowatt-hours. Opening opportunities for the private sector has contributed to the creation of new capacities totaling 11.2 GW, increasing the private sector's share in power generation to 24% and the share of "green" energy to 16%.
Considering the expected population growth to 41 million by 2030 and a 1.5-fold increase in the economy, Uzbekistan plans to generate $45 billion in added value in industry. To ensure a stable power supply, the country will need 117 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity by 2030 and 135 billion by 2035.
New power plants and energy storage facilities will be built. To integrate them into the system, 7,000 km of transmission networks and digital management systems are planned. This should help balance energy distribution across regions, allowing for the transfer of additional capacity in case of shortages.
Investments will be directed toward constructing new power plants, energy storage facilities, and 7,000 km of transmission networks, as well as implementing digital management systems. This will ensure energy balance across regions, enabling the transfer of additional capacity when needed.
A key priority in the energy sector is reducing electricity production costs, which can be achieved through alternative energy sources.
Currently, the cost of one kilowatt-hour at thermal power plants is $0.05–0.06, whereas at solar and wind power plants, it averages $0.03.
Based on this, the country aims to increase the share of "green" energy in total power generation to more than 50% by 2030.
Specifically, plans include commissioning 3,000 micro-hydropower plants with a total capacity of 164 MW, as well as small solar and wind stations with a combined capacity of 750 MW.
"There are also instructions to develop a program for installing solar panels and solar water heaters on at least 50% of residential and business rooftops," said Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov.
To encourage households and businesses to install solar panels and water heaters, the government will allocate 2 trillion sums ($154 million) in preferential loans.
At a meeting on January 27, Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed officials to actively develop industries with low energy consumption and high added value, such as electrical engineering, automotive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and the food industry.
The president emphasized the need to introduce a resource-saving economic model, develop additional projects with a total capacity of 1 GW, and continue promoting solar panel installations at state enterprises and private homes.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
January 29, 2025