Energy cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan is intensifying, with discussions focused on expanding natural gas and oil supplies, infrastructure development, and nuclear power projects. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced during a joint intergovernmental commission meeting in Moscow with Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Oripov that agreements have been reached to increase deliveries of Russian oil and natural gas. He emphasized that the fuel and energy sector has become a key direction of bilateral cooperation, encompassing not only resource supplies but also infrastructure modernization in Uzbekistan.
Mishustin highlighted that with the participation of Russian specialists, new wells are being drilled in Uzbekistan, and processing systems and gas transport infrastructure are being upgraded. Additionally, he reported that construction of an integrated nuclear power plant based on a Russian project has begun in the Jizzakh region, with concrete work starting in March. This large-scale initiative is claimed to provide a boost to Uzbekistan's economy and social sphere, allegedly guaranteeing peaceful atomic energy for the population and businesses for decades to come.
The Russian Prime Minister stated that economic and investment cooperation between the countries "is actively developing even in conditions of geopolitical instability." According to his remarks, Russian companies are implementing about 150 projects in Uzbekistan in energy, industry, and infrastructure, with a total value exceeding 4 trillion rubles (52.5 billion dollars). Examples include the launch of a third copper enrichment plant at the Almalyk mining and metallurgical complex, preparations for a fourth, and ongoing work on producing railway equipment and supplying wagons for the Tashkent metro.
Further cooperation is exemplified by the "Chirchiq" and "Jizzakh" industrial parks, which are already operational with Russian company involvement and purportedly create nearly 3,000 jobs. Mishustin noted that plans are underway to expand such platforms to develop joint projects and manufacture new products.
Data indicates that Uzbekistan began importing gas from Russia via Kazakhstan in October 2023 to cover part of the "blue fuel" deficit, with a two-year contract for daily supplies of 9 million cubic meters or about 2.8 billion cubic meters annually. The country also purchases gas from Turkmenistan. In 2023, petroleum product imports totaled 1.59 billion dollars, a 6.7% increase from 2022, with diesel fuel imports surging by 70.7%.
However, significant discrepancies in natural gas production statistics in Uzbekistan have drawn attention. Preliminary figures for 2024 showed 44.6 billion cubic meters, while final data indicated 41.3 billion cubic meters, a difference of 3.3 billion cubic meters or nearly 8% of annual extraction volume. This discrepancy, valued at approximately 528-660 million US dollars depending on prices, suggests potential overreporting or errors in earlier announcements. Despite some export growth, Uzbekistan continues to buy substantially more gas than it sells abroad, with the "blue fuel" supply gap exceeding 1 billion dollars again in 2025, highlighting ongoing dependency and economic challenges.
Source: www.gazeta.uz