Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 29 January 2020, negotiations with the World Bank delegation led by regional director for infrastructure in Europe and Central Asia, Lucio Monari, were held at the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The parties discussed the course of cooperation between the Ministry of Energy and the World Bank aimed at facilitating reforms in the energy sector of Uzbekistan.

According to the Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sherzod Khodjaev, in July 2019, an international “round table” was held in Tashkent at which a draft Plan of Practical Measures for Reforming the Electric Power Industry of the country, developed jointly with international financial institutions (IFIs), was presented.

The parties noted dynamic cooperation with the WB in the field of creating generating capacities based on renewable energy sources. In particular, the Ministry of Energy together with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which is part of the WB, as well as the Asian Development Bank, are working to identify potential investors for the construction of 2 GW of photovoltaic (solar) stations until 2025.

Also, together with IFC, work is underway to conduct a tender as part of a project for the construction of a thermal power plant with a capacity of 1250-1500 MW, where the winner is planned for October 2020

During the negotiations, other promising projects were discussed that could become the object of support from the World Bank. In particular, the country is developing a targeted installation program for the period 2021-2023. in 150 thousand private households of solar photovoltaic power plants with an average power of 2 kW each.

In addition, 33 potential rural and remote regions of the republic were identified for the development of targeted programs for autonomous energy supply (electric, thermal and biogas) in the spring-autumn period.

The Ministry of Energy also noted the prospects of cooperation with the World Bank in such priority areas as the introduction of corporate governance, the commercialization of enterprises, and the implementation of tariff reforms in the energy sector.

In turn, the WB Regional Director for Infrastructure in Europe and Central Asia, Lucio Monari, emphasized that the World Bank is aimed at the multifaceted development of cooperation with Uzbekistan, and noted that the country's experience in reforming the electric power industry is of great interest to the World Bank.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed the prospects for cooperation in reforming the oil and gas industry. The World Bank has proposed holding a “round table” on the progress of reforms in this industry and the development of a Master Plan that will take into account the entire production vertical - from hydrocarbon production to their transportation to final consumers.