Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 27 August 2021, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat  Mirziyoyev took part in the opening ceremony of the first solar power plant with a capacity of 100 megawatts in Navoi region.

It should be noted that solar energy in Uzbekistan is a very promising area of development. The potential of solar generation in the country ranges from 525 to 760 billion kWh.

The commissioned station is expected to produce 252 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 160 thousand tons, as well as save 80 million cubic meters of natural gas.

The implementation of this project was facilitated by the consistent policy pursued in the country for the transition to a "green" economy, which received a new impetus with the election of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in 2016.

So, on 26 May 2017, the Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On the program of measures for the further development of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency in the sectors of the economy and the social sphere for 2017-2021" was adopted, which noted the need for intensive innovative development of renewable energy sources and diversification of fuel and energy balance due to the production of energy from renewable and alternative energy sources and reducing energy intensity.

Later in 2019, the law "On the use of renewable energy sources" was adopted, where the main directions of state policy are determined:

- strengthening the country’s energy security, including through the use of renewable energy sources;

- stimulating the introduction of innovative technologies, scientific and technical developments in the field of the use of renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency, expanding and localizing the production of installations of renewable energy sources;

- government support and incentives for renewable energy producers, as well as manufacturers of installations of renewable energy sources;

- development of international cooperation in the field of the use of renewable energy sources.

In order to implement the law, in October 2019, the "Strategy for the transition to a" green "economy for the period 2019-2030 was approved by the Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The most important point in the adoption of this document is the very recognition of the "green" economy as a strategic direction for the development of the state with the widespread introduction of renewable energy. The document sets an ambitious task for the further development of renewable energy sources, bringing their share from 10% in 2018 to more than 25% by 2030 of the total electricity generation.

In order to implement the strategic goals in this direction, an institutional transformation of government bodies has been carried out. In particular, the law

"On the Use of Renewable Energy Sources", the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan is defined as a specially authorized state body in the field of the use of renewable energy sources, which promotes the introduction of innovative technologies, scientific and technical developments in the use of renewable energy sources.

At the same time, the Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction has been designated as the authorized body for the promotion and implementation of the "green" economy in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

It should be noted that in view of the fact that the transition to a "green" economy is large-scale and interdisciplinary in nature, a special interagency council has been established in the country, which is entrusted with the task of implementing the Strategy for the transition to a "green" economy.

The practical steps taken for the "green" transformation of the economy of Uzbekistan will serve as a solid foundation for the further sustainable and harmonious development of our country, contribute to the further inflow of "green" investments and technologies.

In this vein, the commissioned Navoi solar power plant has all the prerequisites to become a symbol of Uzbekistan’s commitment to sustainable development in harmony with ecology and the environment.

Leading Research Fellow, International Institute of Central Asia

Jasurkhuja Kodirov