The company "Uztransgaz" intends to implement a program to modernize the main gas system to increase the volumes of natural gas imports "from the north." This is outlined in the government resolution on measures to implement Uzbekistan's investment program for the first quarter of 2024, Gazeta.uz reports.
Uzbekistan has been importing gas from Russia since October 7, 2023, in a northerly direction through the territory of Kazakhstan.
In the first stage of implementing this program in 2024-2030, it is planned to allocate $500 million. This is aimed at increasing the volume to 32 million cubic meters per day (the existing contract with Russian "Gazprom" provides for the supply of 9 million cubic meters per day, but in December, the volume was doubled).
Uzbekistan plans to finance the project through foreign loans.
It is also planned to continue the implementation of the program for the modernization and increased efficiency of Uzbekistan's main gas transportation system (2021-2024). The $483 million project includes the modernization of 511 km of main gas pipelines and 10 gas compressor units. As of January 1, 2024, $50.1 million in loans remain unutilized.
In November of the previous year, the head of "Gazprom," Alexey Miller, stated that Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan could determine their commitments in the field of gas supplies and transit for 15 years by mid-2024.
The head of the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan previously explained why the country buys Russian gas, despite Turkmenistan's closer proximity with significant reserves, and the reasons for exporting gas to other countries. He also stated that it is incorrect to politicize the issue of gas supplies from Russia.
In 2023, Uzbekistan imported more gas than it exported, with the difference in deliveries exceeding $165 million.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
February 21, 2024