“It was instructed to develop a program to install solar panels and solar collectors (solar water heaters — ed.) on at least 50% [of rooftop space] of residential and business properties,” Mirzamakhmudov stated.
Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov noted that the president instructed to develop a program for energy conservation and rational use of natural gas, electricity and heat, as well as to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. Additionally, plans include modernizing energy-inefficient enterprises and creating new power capacities.
During the meeting, it was emphasized that incentives for installing solar panels at state enterprises, industrial and service complexes and residential properties will continue. To support these efforts, 2 trillion soums ($154.15 million) in loans will be allocated.
Ministry of Energy spokesperson Hasan Toshkhujaev clarified in response to Gazeta.uz that the program requires at least 50% of the rooftop [space] on homes and businesses to be designated for solar panels and water heaters. This means that residents and entrepreneurs who wish to install panels using preferential loans and subsidies (totaling above mentioned 2 trillion soums) must cover no less than half of the available rooftop area, rather than 30−40%.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the same meeting declared that it was time to transition to a resource-efficient economic model. The share of renewable energy in Uzbekistan’s total generation is planned to be increased from 16% to 26%. To support low-carbon projects, $300 million will be invested.
The president tasked deputy prime minister and minister of economy and finance Jamshid Kuchkarov, along with energy minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov and regional hokims (mayors), to develop a program aimed at reducing costs by 15−20% and increasing added value through energy efficiency.
Last September, business owners in Syrdarya region gathered in front of the local hokimiyat (government) building after being pressured to install solar panels, with threats of electricity disconnections. The regional power company clarified that officials “misinterpreted the president’s decree”. Gazeta.uz reported that entrepreneurs across the country faced similar threats. The Ministry of Energy said it did not approve of such actions and had not given instructions to force the installation of panels or disconnect electricity.
