Why is this important
The energy sector is the foundation of the country’s sustainable economic development. An increase in demand for electricity by at least one and a half times means an increase in the load on the energy system from the sectors of industry, transport, construction, and the population. Attracting private and foreign investors through public-private partnership mechanisms allows for accelerating the renewal of network infrastructure and improving management efficiency without additional pressure on the state budget.
What happened
- Shavkat Mirziyoyev outlined further plans for the development of the energy sector of Uzbekistan, taking into account the growth of demand for electricity by at least 1.5 times.
- Starting this year, the principles of public-private partnership are being applied not only in the production of electricity, but also in its supply.
- An agreement was reached with the Turkish company Aksa Elektrik to transfer the regional power grids of Samarkand to a private management.
- The President noted the efforts of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan within the framework of the project to create a green corridor for the export of electricity to Europe.
Numbers and facts
- Next year, investors will be offered to manage the electrical networks of Jizzakh and Syrdarya regions, and in 2027, the networks of Namangan and Tashkent regions.
- In 2026, the financing of the Kambarata HPP-1 project will begin in partnership with Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
- An increase in demand for electricity is expected to be at least 1.5 times.
- Aksa Elektrik company, after transferring the Samarkand networks to it, will take them under operational management, invest in modernization, reduce losses by half, which will allow saving an average of $20 million annually.
Context
- Public-private partnership is considered one of the key tools for infrastructure renewal and improving management efficiency.
- The countries of Central Asia are strengthening cooperation in the field of hydropower and transboundary energy projects.
- Projects to export electricity to Europe through “green corridors” are becoming part of broad regional energy integration.
- The country’s energy networks are gradually transitioning to a more modern and efficient management model.
- The attraction of foreign capital to infrastructure is increasing.
