Aksa Elektrik to Invest US$1 Billion in Samarkand Grid

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Turkish company Aksa Elektrik plans to invest approximately US$1 billion to modernize the power distribution network in the Samarkand region over a 30-year public-private partnership project, UzDaily.uz reported, citing the company's 2025 annual report.

Under the terms established by Uzbekistan's Ministry of Energy, Aksa Elektrik must invest at least US$350 million during the first 10 years of operations. The company secured the 30-year operational rights for Samarkand's distribution grid following an international tender. Operations are scheduled to begin in 2026, serving approximately 1 million consumers across the region.

Aksa Elektrik initially signed a memorandum of understanding with Regional Electric Networks in 2024 before winning the competitive tender in 2025. Under the agreement, at least 90 percent of products used for network construction, reconstruction, and modernization must be sourced from domestic manufacturers.

All existing employees of Samarkand Regional Electric Networks will be transitioned to Aksa Elektrik, according to Energy Minister Sherzod Khodjayev, who noted that only 10 to 15 foreign specialists will be brought in to work alongside local staff. The Turkish firm is also required to provide professional training and familiarize local personnel with newly introduced technologies.

The initiative marks Uzbekistan's first transfer of power distribution networks to private management with mandatory investment obligations. Khodjayev previously stated that the government plans to replicate this model in other regions based on the outcomes in Samarkand. Aksa Elektrik specialists have already commenced initial work in the region, selecting 400 priority micro-projects—averaging one per mahalla—to be executed over the next two years following a grid assessment.