Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev announced at the opening of the Uzbekistan Energy Week — 2026 (UEW 2026) in Tashkent on May 12 that the energy sector has become a key driver of the country's transformation.
According to him, about $35 billion in direct investment has been attracted to the sector in recent years, with 9 GW of new generation capacity commissioned. Electricity production has increased from 60 billion kWh to 85 billion kWh, and total installed capacity has reached 26 GW.
Khodjayev emphasized that energy “shapes competitiveness, strengthens infrastructure, and connects regions,” and is “one of the main pillars of national stability and long-term security.” “For many years, energy in Uzbekistan was perceived as a limitation. Today our goals are different — we want energy to become one of Uzbekistan's strongest advantages,” he said.
The development of “green” energy was highlighted as a priority. Solar and wind power capacity has exceeded 5.5 GW, and the share of clean energy, including hydropower, has reached nearly 30% of the total energy balance. “We are no longer just thinking about energy transformation — we are building it,” Khodjayev stated.
However, he noted that new generation capacity alone is insufficient. A modern energy system must be “reliable, flexible, and well-planned,” capable of integrating renewable sources and ensuring uninterrupted supply to industry and households. “We are not just building power plants — we are creating a full energy ecosystem around them,” he said.
Over 69,000 km of power lines and 14,000 substations have been upgraded and modernized. In localization, the volume of local goods, services, and supplies for the energy sector has exceeded $700 million, with potential to reach over $1.3 billion. “Our goal is not simply to import technologies, but to develop local engineering, manufacturing, services, and long-term industrial cooperation,” Khodjayev stressed.
Key foreign partners include ACWA Power, Masdar, American Power, EDF, and China Energy Engineering Corporation, with projects implemented through public-private partnerships. Uzbekistan's energy transformation is gaining regional significance, with the country strengthening its role as a major energy hub in Central Asia. Cooperation with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan under the “green corridor” project for electricity exports to Europe was also noted.
Khodjayev outlined future challenges: rising electricity demand due to industrialization and digitalization, the need for stronger grids, energy storage solutions, and modern dispatch systems. “Energy efficiency must become a national habit in industry, social infrastructure, and every new investment project,” he said. “The first phase was about opening the sector and launching large projects. The next phase should focus on quality, efficiency, sustainability, technological depth, and regional integration,” he concluded.
Source: www.gazeta.uz