Nasibullo Muhammadjonov, chief specialist at the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan, stated on the “Legal View” podcast on UzReport TV that the perception of high electricity and gas tariffs in Uzbekistan is incorrect.

Podcast host Sevara Urinbayeva, citing citizens' questions and comments, asked why tariffs were raised again when consumers already considered them high.

“I consider this opinion to be somewhat incorrect. If you visit globalelectric.org, you will see that energy prices in Uzbekistan are among the 20 cheapest countries in the world. The average price of electricity [in Uzbekistan] is 4-5 cents. To correct our people's view that 'prices had already risen, and they raised them again,' this needs to be properly explained,” the ministry's chief specialist responded.

Regarding the reasons for the tariff increases, the ministry representative emphasized that they are based on the costs required for energy production — the prime cost. For electricity, this includes generation at thermal power plants, use of natural raw materials, processing, and combustion.

Other factors include electricity transportation costs and maintenance of energy facilities, such as transformer points, substations, and power lines.

“The price set for the population within the basic norm is much lower than the cost of electricity production, and this difference is covered by the budget,” said Nasibullo Muhammadjonov.

In Uzbekistan, the price of 1 kWh of electricity for household consumers: for residents of multi-story buildings with electric stoves (50% of the base tariff); natural gas prices for the population (during the heating season — November to February); tariffs for legal entities (including entrepreneurs); gas tariffs for household consumers without meters making fixed payments (using gas stoves) are increasing.

Source: www.gazeta.uz