How Uzbekistan Transformed from a Gas Exporter to a Net Importer of This Fuel: Energy Minister of Uzbekistan Jorabek Mirzamakhmudov Explains
According to the Energy Minister of Uzbekistan, Jorabek Mirzamakhmudov, the primary goal is ensuring stable energy supply to support the country’s development amidst GDP growth (5–6% annually), population growth, increased welfare, construction activity, and new projects. In the long term, achieving carbon neutrality and net-zero emissions will require nuclear energy as part of the energy balance, he believes.
Mirzamakhmudov emphasized that Uzbekistan approached this goal gradually. The minister outlined energy sector reforms implemented in recent years, including the transformation of state companies and the separation of functions for generation, transmission, and sale of electricity. These reforms have attracted private investors.
"I want to highlight one figure. Over 25 years - from independence in 1991 to 2016 - we added only 2.2 GW of new capacity to the system, while Uzbekistan's economy grew by almost 8% annually during this time," he stated.
He noted that increasing generation capacity, modernization, and integrating advanced technologies into the gas sector - responsible for 85% of electricity production—were top priorities for President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Since 2017, Uzbekistan has commissioned about 12 GW of new capacities, including thermal, solar, and wind power plants.
Uzbekistan plans to increase the share of renewable energy sources in its energy mix to 40% by 2030.
"From a net exporter, we have become a net importer of energy resources as the world evolves, and the global economy shifts toward Asia. In this context, we see nuclear energy as a necessary part of the energy balance in the long term," the minister shared.
Mirzamakhmudov highlighted that building a nuclear power plant and integrating it into the national energy balance are part of Uzbekistan’s plans. However, the specifics of when and how this project will be implemented are to be determined in collaboration with the IAEA and other organizations.
"We have experience with thermal power plants, hydropower management, solar, and wind power plants, but nuclear power plants require responsibility not only toward our people but also to the world. We understand that the nuclear energy community is very cohesive—any issue in one country affects everyone. Therefore, we are taking a gradual approach, studying, testing, and training specialists step by step, selecting the safest and most reliable technologies, and moving forward," he assured.
In 2023, Uzbekistan imported more gas than it exported. The supply gap exceeded $165 million, and in the first ten months of 2024, the difference reached $819.6 million.
CentralAsianLIGHT.org
December 11, 2024