President Mirziyoyev Chairs Meeting on Energy Efficiency

Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: On August 27, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a critical meeting focused on energy saving and the expansion of alternative energy sources across Uzbekistan. The meeting highlighted the growing demand for energy resources in the country and the corresponding measures being taken to increase generating capacities and improve energy efficiency.

President Mirziyoyev emphasized the importance of achieving the target indicators for saving electricity and natural gas, which were established at the beginning of the year. During his recent visit to the Fergana region in July, the President discussed the scientific approach required to implement these targets, with the goal of exceeding them two-fold.

A study conducted by scientists from the Fergana Polytechnic Institute revealed significant losses in electricity consumption within the Fergana region. At the Logon substation, which serves 4,600 households and 233 entrepreneurs, annual losses amount to 5 million kilowatt-hours—1.5 times higher than the acceptable norm. The study suggested that by evenly distributing the load across 113 transformers connected to the substation, losses of 765 thousand kilowatt-hours could be prevented without incurring additional costs. Proper management of the district power grid enterprise is key to achieving these savings.

Moreover, the installation of reactive power batteries on 44 transformers servicing water pumps could reduce losses by 1.1 million kilowatt-hours annually, with the initial costs expected to pay off within a year. Overall, it was calculated that losses at 14 substations in the Fergana region amount to 15.5 million kilowatt-hours, equating to approximately 6 billion UZS annually. Effective organization of these efforts would allow the region to meet its electricity-saving goals.

President Mirziyoyev instructed responsible officials to replicate this experience in other regions, as Uzbekistan is home to 1,800 similar substations and nearly 100,000 transformers. The meeting also highlighted successful gas-saving initiatives in Karakalpakstan, where outdated burners in 95,000 households were replaced with energy-saving alternatives, resulting in annual savings of 145 million cubic meters of gas. An additional 16,000 needy families benefited from similar stove replacements, saving another 20 million cubic meters of gas and retaining 12 billion UZS for the local population.

To further enhance energy efficiency, the President set a target to replace heating systems in 1 million households across the country with energy-saving models. With 2,349 large gas consumers in Uzbekistan, only 25 percent have installed modern gas-saving equipment. President Mirziyoyev called for regional authorities and the Energy Inspectorate to address this issue and expedite the installation of energy-saving technologies in large gas-consuming enterprises.

The meeting also addressed the recent transfer of the Uzenergoinspection—Inspectorate for Control over the Use of Electricity, Oil Products, and Gas—to the Cabinet of Ministers, as per a Presidential decree on August 23. This move is expected to enhance the Inspectorate’s capabilities and efficiency.

In terms of alternative energy, positive developments were noted, such as the installation of a 100 MW solar station on the Amu-Bukhara canal, which reduced grid energy consumption by 30 percent, or 200 million kilowatts. The President set a target to reduce electricity consumption in water management enterprises, which account for 10-11 percent of the country’s total electricity use, by at least 25 percent over the next three years.

Solar energy was identified as another critical area for improvement. An entrepreneur in Altiariq successfully installed solar panels with a capacity of 300 kilowatts, producing 540 thousand kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, valued at 486 million UZS. This year, alternative energy sources with a total capacity of 182 MW for the population and 791 MW for entrepreneurs are planned, though progress has been slow in some regions. The President issued strict warnings to relevant officials to accelerate this work, emphasizing that the installation of alternative energy sources is a state policy.

During the meeting, regional mayors and energy complex heads reported on the measures being taken to save electricity and natural gas in their respective regions. President Mirziyoyev underscored the importance of these efforts in ensuring Uzbekistan’s energy security and sustainability.