President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on 28 January to discuss measures for developing the country’s electricity sector from 2025 to 2035, the president’s press service announced.
Over the past eight years, electricity production increased by 38%, reaching 81.5 billion kilowatt-hours. New capacities totaling 11.2 GW were created, with the private sector now accounting for 24% of generation and green energy making up 16%.
During the same period, household incomes grew 1.6 times, leading to a rise in electricity consumption by 21 billion kilowatt-hours due to the use of new household appliances — double the amount consumed in 2016, the statement said.
By 2030, Uzbekistan’s population is expected to reach 41 million, while the economy is projected to grow 1.5 times. Plans include generating $45 billion in added industrial value, tripling the volume of services and launching major data centers.
Estimates indicate that electricity demand will reach 117 billion kilowatt-hours by 2030 and 135 billion kilowatt-hours by 2035 — 1.7 times the current level.
During the meeting, minister of energy Jurabek Mirzamahmudov presented a long-term program aimed at meeting these targets.
Plans include the construction of new power plants and energy storage facilities. To integrate them into the grid, 7,000 km of transmission networks will be built, along with the implementation of digital management systems, ensuring energy balance across regions.
“If one region faces an electricity deficit, additional capacity will be available elsewhere. Over the next five years, $4 billion in investments will be required for the National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan to implement these projects,” the statement noted.
In November 2024, deputy energy minister Umid Mamadaminov emphasized the need for reserve capacities of at least 80% of the renewable energy capacity to ensure grid stability. At that time, Uzbekistan signed agreements to install over 2,000 MW of energy storage systems with a total capacity exceeding 400 MWh, aimed at responding to fluctuations in solar power generation.
Reducing electricity production costs remains a key priority. Currently, thermal power plants generate electricity at a cost of 5−6 cents per kilowatt-hour, while solar and wind farms produce it for an average of 3 cents per kilowatt-hour. By 2030, it is expected to increase the share of renewable energy in total generation to over 50%. Plans include commissioning 3,000 micro-hydropower plants with a total capacity of 164 MW, along with small solar and wind farms generating 750 MW.
The president also emphasized the need for Uzbekistan to transition to a resource-efficient economic model.
Increased energy efficiency in industries could contribute an additional 27% to GDP. Energy consumption in some local chemical and metallurgical enterprises is currently twice the global average, while cement production uses 1.2 times more energy.
Therefore, the goal was set to save 10−15% of energy in each sector and reduce electricity losses from the current 14% to 8−9% by 2030.
Collaboration with foreign investors has begun on projects totaling 24 GW and $26 billion. These initiatives will require a significant amount of equipment and construction materials, presenting opportunities for local businesses to expand localization and cooperation within the projects.
The president set tasks to ensure stable and uninterrupted power supply to consumers and to enhance workforce training in the energy sector.
