Uzbekistan has identified nearly 3,000 potential sites for the construction of small and micro hydropower plants (HPPs), with over 2,500 already put up for auction. This was announced by First Deputy Minister of Energy Umid Mamadaminov in an interview with the Uzbekistan 24 TV channel.
According to him, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a special meeting on August 19 to develop small hydropower and instructed to increase electricity generation through the potential of small and micro HPPs. The First Deputy Minister emphasized that each project will be additionally studied in terms of technical and economic efficiency.
“To ensure these projects are launched faster, we will thoroughly study each project — its efficiency, viability, availability of water flow, and ability to ensure annual production of at least 40-50%. This will be developed on a scientific basis together with our Hydro Institute,” he said.
According to Umid Mamadaminov, projects with the necessary water pressure are planned to be implemented immediately. The second group includes objects located on existing canals, where hydraulic structures need to be modified to increase water pressure. Additionally, projects that could yield additional potential by modifying hydraulic structures and regulating water flow will be considered separately.
“We will divide everything into these three categories and review the attractiveness of the projects. This will create opportunities for their financing, increase attractiveness for entrepreneurs, and generate competition,” said the First Deputy Minister of Energy.
The Ministry of Energy also intends to change the approach to auctioning some projects. Currently, even if several objects are located on the same watercourse, each small HPP is usually offered separately. “On some canals, one entrepreneur wants to build five or six HPPs. Since each HPP is auctioned separately, different entrepreneurs participate. Now we want to include this in a new project: not to put them up individually, but to combine four or five HPPs located on one stream into a single portfolio,” Mamadaminov said.
According to him, combining several stations into one portfolio will reduce design costs and facilitate attracting financing.
The First Deputy Minister also drew attention to cases where objects were purchased at auctions at almost zero value. “This means that the main goal was not to generate electricity at the HPP, but to acquire land. To prevent this, we have set a minimum amount. Also, amendments will be made to the decision that the person who receives the project must use it strictly for its intended purpose — to build an HPP and generate electricity,” said Umid Mamadaminov.
Equipment for small HPPs is manufactured domestically. According to the First Deputy, the Uzbekhydroenergo plant, which produces equipment for small and micro HPPs with a capacity of up to 40 MW, is currently operating at full capacity.
The President also instructed to train local personnel for the construction of new small hydropower plants and to make wider use of equipment produced in Uzbekistan. “Today, Uzbekistan has created such opportunities that a separate industry has actually formed for micro HPPs. Now we will introduce separate proposals to spread this experience to the region,” said Umid Mamadaminov.
Source: www.gazeta.uz