Uzbekistan has modernized approximately 30% of its more than 1,800 substations with voltages of 35-110 kV, according to First Deputy Minister of Energy Umid Mamadaminov. He made the announcement on July 17 following a meeting with the president.
Mamadaminov stated that complaints from citizens and businesses are considered a key indicator of the energy sector's efficiency. In the first half of the year, over 39,000 complaints were received, mainly related to gas and electricity supply. This marks a 26% decrease compared to the same period last year, when more than 50,000 complaints were recorded.
The deputy minister attributed the decline in complaints to the commissioning of new generating capacities, repair and modernization of transmission and distribution networks, and energy efficiency programs.
“However, this does not mean the situation is 100% good in all districts. Work is being carried out gradually, and problems remain. For example, in some regions, substations and transformer points are still operating under high load,” Mamadaminov emphasized in an interview with Uzbekistan 24 TV channel.
The Ministry of Energy also provided information on the fate of the remaining 70% of substations that have not been modernized. “This requires very large funds. The government allocates funds from the state budget for these purposes every year. Existing substations are being gradually modernized and new ones are being built,” Mamadaminov said.
More than half of the complaints in the fuel and energy sector concern the supply of natural and liquefied gas to the population. Key issues include untimely delivery of gas cylinders and shortcomings in the supply system itself.
According to Mamadaminov, the ministry is intensifying the digitalization of this process and introducing a new system that should significantly reduce the number of complaints.
The president has tasked local authorities and the “mahalla seven” with solving systemic problems identified through citizen complaints before the autumn-winter season and improving the quality of regional preparation for the period of high energy consumption.
Mamadaminov noted that the energy sector is transitioning to a new stage of development. While the focus was previously on building generating capacities, digitalization and infrastructure renewal are now becoming priorities.
“Over the next four years, it is planned to modernize about 5,000 km of transmission and distribution networks. New substations will be built, and all these facilities will be equipped with a digital automated control system,” he said.
The ministry also plans to develop a new strategy for handling citizen complaints, upgrade call centers, and introduce artificial intelligence technologies.
“Thus, the fuel and energy system is moving to a new stage — digitalization and the creation of a digital energy system,” Mamadaminov stated.
Earlier, the Ministry of Energy reported that on July 17, daily electricity consumption in Uzbekistan reached a new summer maximum of 293.4 million kWh. Records have been updated for the fifth consecutive day. Due to power outages, businesses are facing additional costs: some stores are forced to transport perishable goods, rent generators, and purchase fuel.
Source: www.gazeta.uz