Nukus Heating Plant to Be Modernized With Cogeneration

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a project to modernize Nukus' central heating plant using cogeneration technologies. The first phase envisages attracting more than US$20 million in foreign direct investment and connecting about 6,000 apartments to the central heating system.

The existing Nukus heating plant was built in 1976 and mainly supplies heat to social facilities. Its equipment is physically and technologically outdated, while its energy efficiency remains low. Producing 1 Gcal of heat requires about 153 cubic metres of natural gas and 30 kWh of electricity. The plant's actual capacity is 1.6 Gcal per hour.

Currently, 47 apartment buildings in the city have access to central heating, while another 270 buildings use local heating systems. Other apartment buildings rely on various improvised heating devices that, in addition to high energy consumption, pose safety risks to residents.

The modernization project is planned under a public-private partnership. The cogeneration unit will simultaneously generate heat and electricity from a single fuel source.

The project includes the construction of a facility with a thermal capacity of 34.4 Gcal per hour and an electrical capacity of 21.5 MW. It will also involve laying 28 km of heating networks and installing 189 individual heating substations. Internal heating systems will be restored in apartment buildings and social facilities, while the necessary gas and electricity infrastructure will be upgraded.

During the first phase, central heating will be provided to about 6,000 apartments in 136 apartment buildings, home to around 23,000 people, as well as 40 social facilities. The longer-term plan is to connect all apartment buildings and social facilities in Nukus to the central heating system.

The new complex is scheduled to become fully operational in February 2028. Following modernization, the plant's efficiency is expected to increase from 80% to 91%. Annual natural gas savings will reach 12.2 million cubic metres, while electricity generation will total 172,000 MWh.

The project is also expected to reduce harmful atmospheric emissions and create 19 jobs. Employees of the complex will receive training in operating modern equipment and applying new technologies.

Mirziyoyev instructed officials to ensure reliable, safe and high-quality heating for residents during the project's implementation and to complete construction on schedule and to the required quality standards.

Proposals were also reviewed to modernize heating plants in Bukhara, Samarkand, Urgench and Zarafshan using the Nukus experience and introducing cogeneration and trigeneration technologies.