President Shavkat Mirziyoyev Reviews Green Energy Initiatives

Shavkat Mirziyoyev energy

Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in a high-level meeting, outlined crucial priorities for expanding the utilization of renewable energy sources in Uzbekistan.

Recognizing the immense untapped potential of solar and wind energy, President Mirziyoyev urged officials to integrate theory with practice for the purpose of advancing the country’s modernization goals.

In his address, President Mirziyoyev highlighted the fact that the solar and wind energy potential in Uzbekistan is 10-12 times higher than the current electricity demand. Despite this, the country has not fully harnessed these opportunities until recent years. The government has placed significant emphasis on this sector, establishing a robust legal framework and launching substantial programs to boost green energy production capacities.

To date, the industry has attracted $2.1 billion in foreign direct investment, with an additional $13 billion worth of projects in progress. Notable achievements include the launch of nine large solar and wind power plants and six hydroelectric power stations with a combined capacity of 1.6 gigawatts and 183 megawatts, respectively.

President Mirziyoyev stated, “Green energy is becoming one of the drivers of the country’s economy and a nationwide movement.” He underlined the success of the ongoing efforts, resulting in the production of an additional 5 billion kilowatt-hours of environmentally friendly electricity and saving 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas.

Looking ahead, President Mirziyoyev announced ambitious plans for the next three years, aiming to commission 28 large solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 8 gigawatts. This initiative will be accompanied by the construction of 944 kilometers of high-voltage power grids, six large substations, and 18 energy storage systems with a capacity of 2.2 gigawatts.

The President stressed the need to implement three-year programs, ensuring the stability of the energy system. It was reported that 14 stations with a total capacity of 2.6 gigawatts will be launched this year alone, with expansions in substations and high-voltage power networks.

Additionally, Uzbekistan’s “Solar Home” program, which incentivizes residents to install solar panels, will see increased support. An allocation of an additional $50 million and attracting $100 million in foreign investment is planned to expand the program’s reach.

President Mirziyoyev instructed responsible parties to develop a separate program for renewable energy use in energy-intensive sectors such as agriculture, water management, and drinking water supply. The positive impact on related industries was highlighted, with plans to implement projects in the “Solar Cluster” and industrial zones for the production of solar panels, batteries, inverters, cables, and transformers.

The President concluded by instructing officials to support domestic enterprises in obtaining international quality certificates and aligning production with international standards. The Minister of Energy and governors presented plans for organizing work on the tasks set during the meeting.

This comprehensive approach aims to position Uzbekistan as a regional leader in renewable energy, contributing significantly to both economic growth and environmental sustainability.