The National Statistics Committee and the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan have published significantly differing figures regarding electricity generation for the first nine months of 2026. The gap between the official datasets compiled by the two state bodies amounts to approximately 2.4 billion kilowatt-hours, prompting calls for clarification from analysts.
Prominent economist Otabek Bakirov was among the first to publicly highlight the discrepancy, insisting that the respective agencies must provide a transparent account of the data mismatch. In response to mounting queries, journalists reached out to the energy authorities to investigate the potential factors behind the conflicting reports.
According to the National Statistics Committee, domestic electricity production totaled 67.16 billion kilowatt-hours during the January–September period. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy claimed a substantially higher output of 69.6 billion kilowatt-hours for the exact same timeframe, resulting in a notable margin of 2.44 billion kilowatt-hours.
Initial assumptions suggested that the disparity might stem from differing methodologies or the inclusion of distinct categories of power producers. Specifically, the energy ministry maintains separate tracking systems for small-scale solar installations and industrial block-stations operating across the country.
Addressing the inquiries, the Ministry of Energy suggested that the statistics committee may have omitted electricity generated by small rooftop solar power systems. According to departmental estimates, these decentralized installations produced 2.5 billion kilowatt-hours over the nine-month period.
This volume was previously highlighted during an official ministry briefing on October 20, which reviewed the sector's performance metrics. Officials noted at the time that small-scale solar panels had generated 2.5 billion kilowatt-hours, surpassing the two billion recorded for the entire preceding year of 2025.
Consequently, the estimated output of minor solar stations closely aligns with the statistical gap identified between the two reports. However, energy officials have cautioned that this assessment remains a tentative explanation for the discrepancy rather than a finalized reconciliation.
Source: podrobno.uz