Uzbekistan has launched a significant green energy push, unveiling 42 new projects valued at €9.46 billion ($10.2 billion USD) at the "Powering the Future" forum in Tashkent. These projects include generation facilities, energy storage systems, substations, and high-voltage networks. This initiative is part of a broader national strategy to enhance energy security and modernize infrastructure, aiming to generate 23 billion kilowatt-hours of green energy by 2026, sufficient to cover the entire annual electricity consumption of the country's population.
The country aims to add more than 17,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030, increasing the share of green energy in its overall generation to 54%. This expansion will require the construction of 6,000 kilometers of high-voltage networks, with 1,000 kilometers planned for next year. To date, Uzbekistan has attracted approximately €30 billion ($32.4 billion USD) in investments to the energy sector, resulting in an additional 9,000 megawatts of capacity since 2017 and an increase in total electricity generation from 60 billion to 85 billion kilowatt-hours in 2024.
Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov stated that the expansion of renewable energy is projected to reduce natural gas consumption by nearly 7 billion cubic meters and prevent 11 million tons of harmful emissions. The strategy also includes the introduction of 10 utility-scale energy storage systems with a total capacity of 1,245 megawatts, capable of injecting up to 1.5 billion kilowatt-hours of additional electricity into the grid during peak hours. Additionally, small-scale initiatives are underway, such as a program to install 107 megawatts of rooftop and micro-solar plants across 300 mahallas to supply green energy to 30,000 low-income families, who can also sell excess electricity back to the grid.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized two primary objectives: ensuring a reliable and uninterrupted energy supply for all sectors and regions, and achieving this through modern, environmentally friendly, and renewable alternative energy sources. While the country plans to add over 17,000 MW of renewable capacity by 2030, making green energy 54% of total generation, it currently relies on fossil gas for 85% of its electricity. Significant challenges remain, including the need to balance energy security with reliability, affordability, and equity, and the absence of a clear plan to phase out fossil fuels.
Uzbekistan’s ambitious targets face hurdles in transmission, distribution, and system management, which have led to curtailment despite attracting investment in generation capacity. The government's 2020–2030 power sector development plan aims to modernize aging infrastructure and increase renewable generation, utilizing a hybrid financing model that combines state investment with private capital through public-private partnerships. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has advised Uzbekistan on developing 1 GW of solar capacity through independent power producers by 2025.
