Over the past few years, Uzbekistan has transitioned from a net importer of electricity to an exporter and a key player in shaping regional and transcontinental energy corridors. This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev on May 5 during a panel session at the Asian Development Bank meeting in Samarkand.
The session moderator noted that Uzbekistan has rapidly developed renewable energy production over the last six to seven years and has already established electricity trade with regional partners, including Kazakhstan and Afghanistan. The moderator asked what role the country envisions for itself in the future interconnected Pan-Asian energy grid — as a producer, transit country, or “something completely new.”
“Imagine, a country that only imported energy 10 years ago is now becoming a completely different state,” Khodjayev replied. According to him, Uzbekistan’s economy has grown from $60 billion to $145 billion. This is the result of ongoing reforms aimed at transitioning to international standards, a market economy, and creating a “favorable and bankable environment for investments.”
The energy sector has been a top priority of reforms. “Why am I starting with reforms? Without reforms, it is impossible to attract investors, and the state cannot invest alone in energy infrastructure,” the deputy prime minister said. He emphasized that thanks to reforms, private companies have begun investing in electricity generation and energy storage systems in Uzbekistan.
“In recent years, we have attracted about $35 billion in investments in the energy sector alone. 9 GW of new generation capacity has been commissioned,” Khodjayev stated. Electricity production has increased by nearly 40% — from 60 billion to 85 billion kWh per year. The country has installed about 6 GW of solar and wind capacity, with annual “green” generation growth averaging 4 GW.
Khodjayev highlighted that Uzbekistan is already emerging as a “reliable regional supplier” of electricity. In 2025 alone, exports amounted to: approximately 500 million kWh to Kazakhstan, 400 million kWh to Tajikistan, 1.2 billion kWh to Kyrgyzstan, and over 2 billion kWh to Afghanistan.
“Previously, the country imported electricity. Now we are trying to help neighboring countries when they face shortages and sell them our electricity. Without transforming the energy market and creating conditions for investors, we could not even supply our own enterprises. Now the country is exporting electricity,” he said.
According to the deputy prime minister, expanding infrastructure is strengthening Uzbekistan’s role in regional energy. The country is building 220 kV and 500 kV power transmission lines and substations in Afghanistan and neighboring countries, with completion planned by 2027.
In addition to bilateral trade, Uzbekistan is participating in the integration of Central Asian energy systems. Khodjayev reminded that regional states, with support from the World Bank, are implementing the REMIT program — “Regional Energy Market Integration and Development in Central Asia.”
He also announced Uzbekistan’s involvement in a high-voltage HVDC line project to export “green” electricity to Europe via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. The Asian Development Bank is assisting in preparing the feasibility study.
“At the same time, the possibility of connecting to China’s energy system is being discussed, which will further expand the geographic scope of our integration,” Khodjayev added.
The deputy prime minister stressed that Uzbekistan is gradually moving beyond its traditional role in the energy sector. “The country is gradually stepping out of its traditional role, establishing itself as a reliable electricity producer, an efficient transit corridor, and most importantly, a regional integrator of energy systems,” he said.
According to Khodjayev, the country has “very ambitious plans”: modernizing the energy grid, adding new generation capacity annually, digitalizing the power system, and developing new generation sources, including nuclear power plants.
Energy Minister Jorabek Mirzamakhmudov noted in December that the commissioning of new capacities allowed Uzbekistan to transition to exporting clean electricity in 2025. Deliveries to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan helped mitigate risks from water shortages. A total of 2.6 billion kWh is planned for neighboring countries.
According to the National Statistics Committee, Uzbekistan’s electricity exports in 2025 rose to $168.7 million, nearly 1.5 times higher than in 2024.
Source: www.gazeta.uz