The Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan, commenting on the data from the Agency of Statistics under the President, reported an increase in electricity production in January-May 2024, Gazeta.uz reports.
According to the Ministry of Energy, in May, Uzbekistan produced 6.1 billion kWh of electricity, which is 337.9 million kWh, or 5.8%, more than in the same period last year.
Electricity supply to all consumers amounted to 5 billion kWh. This is 297.1 million kWh, or 5.7%, less than in May 2023. Industries received 3.7 billion kWh (92.2 million kWh more), while household consumers received 1.2 billion kWh (393.7 million kWh less). Thus, the population saved this amount of electricity, as noted by the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan.
The remaining electricity was used for the internal needs of power plants and transmission expenses.
"The main reason for the low volume of supplies is that consumers economized on electricity in May against the backdrop of tariff changes. Industrial enterprises, as seen above, consumed electricity in the specified volumes compared to the forecast," the statement said.
Excess electricity production was exported to neighboring countries.
The Ministry notes that Uzbekistan has put into operation 8 solar photovoltaic and 1 wind power plants, which produce up to 2000 MW of "green" energy per day (20% of total production), significantly reducing the volume of imports.
"Therefore, it can be said that today our country has no problems related to electricity production. On the contrary, capacities of 'green' power plants in our country will be increased, and electricity will be produced in excess compared to consumption," stated the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan.
Meanwhile, Uzbek media claim that social media users regularly report power outages.
Clarification from the Statistics Agency:
Earlier, Gazeta.uz, citing data from the Uzbekistan State Statistics Committee, reported that electricity generation by major energy supply enterprises in May decreased to 3.19 billion kWh, which is 2.3 billion kWh (-58%) less than in May last year (5.5 billion kWh), and also 4.68 billion kWh (-59.4%) less than the April figure.
For January-May, production decreased to 31.16 billion kWh, which is 1.4%, or 426.7 million kWh, less than the five-month figure for 2023.
Later, Gazeta.uz clarified that the statistics on electricity production by major enterprises for April 2024 included data from small producers. These figures have now been updated.
According to the updated data, electricity generation by major energy supply enterprises in May decreased to 5.3 billion kWh, which is 393.5 million kWh (-6.9%) less than in May last year (5.7 billion kWh), and also 435.1 million kWh (-7.57%) less than the April figure.
The agency also specifies that it is necessary to take into account that some small enterprises may move into the category of major enterprises during the reporting period.
The State Statistics Committee indicated that small enterprises (solar, wind, and other power plants with up to 50 employees) submit reports once a year, while major enterprises submit monthly reports. The Ministry of Energy has daily and monthly statistics for all companies, but this information is considered departmental, while the Statistics Agency must receive data directly from producers according to international statistical reporting requirements.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
June 27, 2024