Ministry of Energy Reports Stable Operation of Uzbekistan’s Energy Systems Amid Cold Snap

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan reported on the results of maintaining stable energy supply to consumers on January 19 during its regular daily briefing.

Currently, 148 power plants are operating across the country. Over the course of the day, they produced 267.5 million kWh of electricity, reaching 104% of the planned target. Electricity supplied to consumers totaled 246.8 million kWh, or 103% of the planned amount.

Natural gas consumption for the day amounted to 145 million cubic meters, with 1.3 million cubic meters directed to automotive gas-filling compressor stations. Liquefied gas production reached 2,300 tons, or 109% of the planned volume. All produced liquefied gas was supplied to households and social facilities, while regional reserves of 8,000 tons were maintained at gas-filling stations.

The ministry noted that due to the sharp drop in temperatures and forecasts for further cold weather through the week, temporary restrictions were introduced at methane fueling stations to maintain stable pipeline pressure. Gas supply to social facilities and public transport continues uninterrupted, and in regions where gas pressure in residential areas fell, restoration work is underway.

Fuel volumes offered for exchange trading are also being increased. On January 19, 2,400 tons of liquefied gas were offered on the exchange, of which 2,300 tons were sold. Supplies of gasoline and diesel fuel meet the needs of the population and the economy, with 10,500 tons of gasoline and 16,100 tons of diesel offered for sale, and 3,600 tons of gasoline and 2,100 tons of diesel sold.

Uzbekneftegaz confirmed its readiness to promptly increase gasoline volumes offered on the exchange according to market demand. The current daily figure of 3,700 tons can be raised to 5,000 tons if necessary.

Extraction and production at ministry enterprises are operating normally. All organizations have 24/7 operational teams.

Amid increased loads on power grids and transformer substations, emerging faults are being promptly addressed. Emergency crews are fully staffed and equipped with necessary machinery and spare parts. On January 19, seven electricity system incidents and one gas supply incident were recorded; all were resolved promptly. Temporary power outages occurred in some districts of Tashkent and Surkhandarya, but electricity was fully restored, including in Surkhandarya by 01:08 on January 20.

Additionally, on 19 January at 19:30 in Kumkurgan District, Surkhandarya, gas supply to 4,400 households and 70 wholesale consumers was temporarily cut off due to a vehicle accident damaging a main gas pipeline. The fault was repaired, and gas supply restored by 22:20.

Special response teams are deployed to handle citizen appeals, and call centers for regional electricity and gas divisions operate 24/7. On 19 January, 20,338 inquiries were received, all of which were addressed.

In Andijan region, illegal electricity and gas consumption was detected, including unauthorized mining operations and connections, causing damage worth hundreds of millions of soums. All cases have been referred to law enforcement, criminal proceedings initiated, and investigations underway.

The ministry reminded the public that during winter, 1,479 emergency teams operate around the clock, comprising over 7,596 specialists. Consumers were urged to strictly follow safety measures when using heating appliances and gas equipment, and to use energy resources efficiently, emphasizing that effective energy use is key to stable supply.