Uzbek leader instructs to modernize power industry
By Abdul Kerimkhanov
The roadmap to increase generating capacity, modernize electrical networks, improve metering and control of electrical energy consumption in 2018-2020 was approved by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, podrobno.uz reported.
The power system of Uzbekistan is the largest in Central Asia.
In 2017, power plants of Uzbekistan produced more than 60 billion kWh electricity, which is 3 percent more compared to 2016. Consumption in 2017 amounted to more than 59 billion kWh, according to the State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan.
Currently, Uzbekistan has problems in the power industry. Country has a low level of implementation of resource and energy saving technologies and the slow pace of renewal of the relevant infrastructure leads to an increase in technological losses and systematic interruptions in the supply of electricity.
Moreover, one of the main problems that will need to be solved in two years is the lack of a healthy competitive environment, the presence of a significant quasi-public sector, inconsistency of tariff policies with the principles of a market economy, which leads to excessive government regulation, conflict of state and commercial interests.
However, Uzbekistan has broad plans for the future. The roadmap provides for the implementation of seven investment projects for the modernization of existing and commissioning of new generating capacities of 1,984 MW and a project cost of $2.6 billion.
As part of projects in the power industry, long-term loans totaling $ 1.8 billion will be disbursed over this period, the attraction of which has been agreed with the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and other international financial institutions.
The head of state ordered to start implementation of several interesting projects in 2019. Among them, for example, the construction of a solar photovoltaic power plant with a capacity of 100 MW in the Navoi region, as well as the construction of a combined-cycle plant at one of the country's thermal power plants and the modernization of electricity distribution networks in the cities of Andijan, Namangan and Fergana under public-private partnership.
Also, Uzbekenergo should, by April 1, 2019, develop and submit for approval to the Cabinet of Ministers a procedure for connecting business entities that produce electricity, including from alternative energy sources, in a single energy system.
Uzbekistan is the largest electricity producer in Central Asia. Total installed capacity of Uzbekistan’s power plants exceeds 12.4 GW. Twelve thermal power plants, with a combined capacity of over 10.7 GW, and 31 hydro power plants, with a combined capacity of 1.7 GW, belonging to the Uzbekenergo, the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, the Mining and Metallurgical Company Almalyk and the Uzkhimprom Association, constitute the backbone of the electricity sector.
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