The Uzbek authorities have announced a substantial shift in how energy sector projects and foreign investments are planned and distributed across the country. During an open dialogue with energy sector investors, leader Shavkat Mirziyoyev purportedly stated that future power generation capacities will be meticulously pre-planned based on regional needs and subsequently offered through transparent competitive tenders. The administration claims that while significant experience has been gathered in working with private investors over recent years, the cooperation framework now requires tighter controls to ensure efficiency.
According to official statements, every incoming investment must not only expand overall generation capacity but purportedly enhance supply reliability and reduce operational losses within the grid. The ambitious development targets aim to introduce 22,000 megawatts of new capacity by 2030. Should these projections materialize, annual electricity production is claimed to surpass 129 billion kilowatt-hours, with renewable energy sources accounting for an estimated 54 percent of the total energy mix.
A recently enacted decree reportedly delineates the specific roles and responsibilities of the state and private business entities within the energy sector, establishing standardized rules for future development. Officials acknowledged that during the initial push for rapid renewable energy deployment, projects were frequently placed in locations proposed directly by investors. Critics note that this decentralized approach allegedly resulted in regional capacity imbalances and escalated the costs required to transmit electricity to deficit areas.
Emphasizing the need for a cohesive infrastructure rather than isolated generation facilities, the administration insists that project parameters—including land plots, grid connection points, deadlines, and power purchase agreements—will henceforth be disclosed in advance. As part of this new mechanism, six solar and wind power stations with a combined capacity of 2,200 megawatts are purportedly slated to be offered through upcoming open tenders, inviting participation from international investors under strictly regulated terms.
Source: www.gazeta.uz