Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Regional integration in the field of energy can help to cover peak congestion in the countries of the region through the functioning of the coordination center and the interconnection of energy systems. First Deputy Energy Minister Azim Akhmedkhadjayev noted this in his presentation during his presentation at the Tashkent Economic Forum.

He stressed that the cooperation of the five countries of the Central Asian region has received a positive impetus in the past 5 years to strengthen cooperation and integration of energy systems, which makes it possible to develop and implement joint investment projects.

In particular, Uzbekistan intends to continue the construction of high-voltage lines that will connect the country’s energy system with neighboring countries.

Regional energy partnership plays its role in the current and long-term plans of Uzbekistan to achieve energy security and increase generation, which should double in less than 10 years, and the share of renewable energy projects in it will grow to 25%.

To achieve these ambitious goals, A. Akhmedkhadjayev noted, a process of reforms and transformations is underway in the energy sector of the country. It began with the adoption of a decision by the country’s leadership to create the Ministry of Energy, a state body to which oversight of the process of transforming the energy sphere and issues of energy supply to the population of Uzbekistan was transferred.

The next step in the reform was the creation of three enterprises on the basis of Uzbekenergo JSC. Since then, generation, transmission and distribution tasks have been performed by individual joint stock companies.

Participants of the Tashkent Economic Forum were also informed about the adopted resolutions of the President of the country on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, the development of the "Concept for the provision of the Republic of Uzbekistan with electric energy for 2020-2030". This regulatory work is carried out taking into account the best international experience, with the involvement of reputable foreign experts in the field.

As a result, in Uzbekistan, for the first time, an opportunity was provided to develop electricity production for private investors on the basis of PPP. To hold tenders for projects based on the best international experience and standards, the country’s leadership attracted such world financial institutions as the International Finance Corporation, which provides technical support for tenders for 1 GW of solar and 1.5 GW of traditional generation, the Asian Development Bank - for 1 GW solar and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development - tenders for 1 GW of wind generation.

The presentation also highlighted the development of personnel policy in the energy sector. Specifically, ACWA Power and Air Products are jointly investing in building training capacity at Shirin College, developing a dedicated curriculum and curriculum for students and teachers.

In addition, about two weeks ago, as part of the Roadmap, which was adopted between the Ministry of Energy and Siemens in April, Siemens signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tashkent State Technical University on advanced training programs for university students.

“The Republic of Uzbekistan in all sectors is moving from the export of raw materials to the export of finished products. We aimed to develop clusters and deepen gas processing. A good example would be the GLT project, which has already been completed and will be fully operational in the coming days. We also committed ourselves to developing the MTO cluster in the Bukhara region, ”said the First Deputy Minister of Energy.

The presentation also emphasized that the country’s leadership is constantly working on sustainable energy, how Uzbekistan will manage green energy initiatives and their priorities.

In particular, to support small renewable energy projects, a compensation mechanism has been adopted for the introduction of energy efficient and renewable energy sources. Currently, the Ministry of Energy continues to develop new approaches and methodologies for the development of the use of renewable energy sources.