Under the World Bank's Central Asia Water and Energy Program (CAWEP), a $3.2 million grant has been allocated to the non-profit Energy Coordinating Dispatch Center (EDC). This was announced by the World Bank's office in Uzbekistan. The funds are aimed at supporting initial steps to create a regional electricity market.

The grant agreement was signed by World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia Naji Benhassin and EDC General Director Hamidulla Shamsiyev. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the European Union delegation, as well as the embassies of the United Kingdom and Switzerland in Tashkent.

The grant serves the objectives of the "Regional Electricity Market Development and Energy System Integration" (REMIT) program. Specifically, it involves developing and launching a pilot regional electricity market under EDC leadership, implementing regional market operator functions, and strengthening interstate coordination mechanisms.

In January 2026, the World Bank approved the REMIT program, endorsing over $1 billion in funding for its implementation. The program, scheduled until 2035, aims to enhance energy interdependence among Central Asian countries, increase cross-border trade volumes, expand transmission network capacity, and integrate renewable energy sources into the system.

The REMIT program is being implemented in three phases, with the first phase providing grants and concessional loans totaling $143.2 million to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and the EDC of Central Asian countries for relevant program activities. Of these funds, $140 million comes from the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) resources, and $3.2 million is allocated as CAWEP program grants.

The CAWEP program is implemented in collaboration with the World Bank, European Union, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, aiming to strengthen water and energy security in the region amid climate change.

Source: www.gazeta.uz