️ Uzbekistan has significantly strengthened penalties for the illegal use of electricity, heating, gas, and other utility networks. These amendments were introduced into the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Responsibility through a law adopted on March 11, as reported by the Telegram channel "Huquqiy axborot." Under the new rules, fines for unauthorized connection to public electricity, heating, or gas networks or violation of usage rules have been increased for citizens from 15 times to 20 times the base calculation amount (BCA), and for officials from 25 times to 30 times the BCA. Under the previous system, these amounts were 10–15 BCA for citizens and 20–25 BCA for officials.
️ For unauthorized connection to electricity, heating, gas, or water supply networks for commercial purposes, fines now range from 15 times to 25 times the BCA or up to 15 days of administrative detention, higher than the previous fine of 10–20 BCA. Additionally, according to amendments to the Criminal Code, if such an act is repeated after administrative punishment has been applied, penalties can include fines from 30 times to 75 times the BCA, compulsory community service of up to 240 hours, or corrective labor for up to one year. In the previous version, the minimum fine was 25 BCA.
️ The law will enter into force three months after its official publication. According to data from the Inspection for Control of the Use of Electricity, Petroleum Products, and Gas (Uzenergoinspection), 2,887 cases of illegal use of energy resources were identified in 2025, causing total damage to state interests of 1 trillion 243 billion soums, with 668.9 billion soums attributed to electricity and 574.7 billion soums to natural gas. 2,696 materials were forwarded to law enforcement agencies, and 5,296 administrative cases were formalized.
️ During control measures in January-February 2026, 584 cases of illegal use of energy resources were identified, resulting in the theft of 24.3 million kWh of electricity and 33.7 million cubic meters of natural gas, causing 153.8 billion soums in damage to the state. Additionally, 1,394 administrative cases were formalized. These figures highlight the widespread nature of illegal energy use and the necessity for stricter penalties.
️ Previously, Uzbekistan had also toughened responsibility for the illegal sale of medicines containing potent substances, reflecting the government's broader policy to combat violations, alongside these stringent measures in the energy sector.
Source: www.gazeta.uz