President Shavkat Mirziyoyev Chairs Meeting on Enhancing Energy Efficiency in Uzbekistan
Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a high-level meeting on March 26 to discuss strategies for improving energy efficiency and optimizing the use of energy resources in Uzbekistan.
The discussion emphasized that economic sectors remain the largest consumers of energy. Many factories built in earlier decades no longer comply with modern environmental and energy efficiency standards, leading to frequent disruptions in electricity and gas supplies in certain regions. Additionally, outdated industrial infrastructure has contributed to excessive energy consumption and resource wastage.
In recent years, Uzbekistan has taken proactive measures to implement energy efficiency principles across economic sectors. A comprehensive program targeting major enterprises and key areas within the energy sector is being actively pursued to address these challenges.
With Uzbekistan’s population projected to reach 41 million by 2030 and its economy expected to double in size, energy demand is anticipated to increase by 1.5 times. To meet this demand, alongside launching new projects and expanding production capacities, the government is prioritizing energy-saving measures.
During the meeting, responsible authorities reported on their progress and future plans. President Mirziyoyev highlighted the importance of scientific research in collaboration with scholars to identify energy-saving opportunities at the local level. For instance, studies conducted in Samarkand, Syrdarya, and Jizzakh regions have revealed potential savings of 870 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and 420 million cubic meters of gas.
Replacing outdated equipment at approximately 35,000 small and medium-sized industrial enterprises could result in annual savings of 385 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and 50 million cubic meters of gas. Additionally, the construction of 300 small-scale solar power plants with a total capacity of 100 megawatts is projected to save 45 million cubic meters of gas this year. Similarly, over a thousand micro-hydropower plants built along canals and streams could generate an additional 175 million kilowatt-hours of electricity.
Street lighting was another key area of discussion, as it currently consumes 200 million kilowatt-hours annually. The installation of solar-powered street lamps could reduce this figure by half.
Given these opportunities, Uzbekistan aims to achieve additional energy savings of 1.1 billion cubic meters of gas and 2.6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2025.
President Mirziyoyev underscored the need for installing modern energy-efficient equipment, reducing energy losses, and fostering a culture of energy conservation. The government has been tasked with implementing effective monitoring mechanisms to ensure successful execution.
Furthermore, given the high population density in the Fergana Valley, special instructions were issued to develop a specialized approach for securing energy supplies in the region. This model will later be expanded to other parts of the country in a phased manner.
The President emphasized that fostering a culture of energy conservation in both industrial and household settings is vital for long-term sustainability. Encouraging the widespread adoption of solar panels and alternative energy sources will lead to significant energy savings and contribute to Uzbekistan’s economic and environmental goals.
