President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has reviewed a presentation on measures for further development of the hydropower sector, the presidential press service reported.

Uzbekistan has over 150,000 kilometers of rivers, streams and canals. These resources are strategically important not only for drinking water and irrigation, but also for energy, economy and ecology.

Currently, most electricity generation depends on natural gas and coal, with hydropower accounting for only about 10-12%. Therefore, hydropower development is crucial for stabilizing the energy system, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and using water resources efficiently.

The presentation covered plans to implement 73 promising projects worth $5.8 billion in 2026-2032, which are expected to create an additional 3.6 GW of capacity.

This year, 13 hydroelectric power plants with a total capacity of 114 MW and annual output of 537 million kWh are planned to be commissioned, creating 254 jobs. Additionally, a 20 MW wind power plant worth $28 million in grants is being built in Bostanliq district.

Among major projects, the Upper Pskem HPP in Bostanliq district stands out. Worth $365 million, it will have a capacity of 160 MW and annual output of 484 million kWh, enough to power 161,000 households. The share of local components is 82%.

In Sokh district of Fergana region, the Sokh HPP is planned as a 'national project'. With a capacity of 15 MW and annual output of 50 million kWh, it will stably meet 71% of the district's electricity needs.

The hydropower potential of the Upper Tupalang area was also reviewed. On rivers and streams flowing into the Tupalang reservoir, 42 small HPPs could be built with total capacity of 541 MW and annual output of about 1.9 billion kWh.

Source: www.gazeta.uz