Uzbekistan Accelerates Energy Partnership with Turkey Through PPP Projects and Regional “Green” Initiatives

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan’s energy cooperation with Turkey is rapidly developing amid ongoing reforms and the country’s efforts to attract private investment, Energy Minister Zhurabek Mirzamahmudov said in an interview with Anadolu Agency on 22 December 2025.

According to Mirzamahmudov, Turkey and Turkish companies were among the first supporters of Uzbekistan’s energy reforms, backing the launch of the country’s initial public-private partnership (PPP) projects. The minister noted that during the 5th meeting of energy ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Istanbul, discussions focused on attracting private investment first to the electricity generation sector and subsequently to other segments of the energy industry. Turkish firms also supported the establishment of an independent energy market regulator, drawing on their own experience.

Energy cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkey has strengthened over the past several years: bilateral trade volume grew from US$1.2 billion in 2016 to US$3.5 billion by 2024. Turkish companies are actively involved across all segments of Uzbekistan’s energy sector—from generation and distribution to large-scale infrastructure projects. The first PPP project in electricity distribution in the Samarkand region was awarded to a Turkish company through an international tender. Since then, Turkish firms have played a prominent role in developing the country’s energy infrastructure, serving as contractors for engineering, procurement, and construction work.

Mirzamahmudov also reported the launch of initial PPP projects in centralized heating in Tashkent in collaboration with Turkish companies. While relatively small in scale, these projects are significant for attracting private operators into heat distribution. As part of these initiatives, a cogeneration plant was constructed, marking a step toward increased efficiency and the adoption of modern technologies.

Beyond individual projects, cooperation is increasingly focused on regional energy integration. Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan are developing a “green corridor” project for transmitting electricity from renewable sources, with Kyrgyzstan also expressing interest. Discussions with Turkey are ongoing.

“We are moving from a regional approach to interregional cooperation, and we consider this one of our key partnerships with our Turkish brothers,” the minister emphasized. He added that working groups have already been formed to coordinate technical discussions and prepare feasibility studies, with the next stage focusing on assessing market demand and project capacity.

Mirzamahmudov also noted Turkey’s and Turkish investors’ readiness for further collaboration, highlighting strong political support, established systems, and incentives for investors. Uzbekistan is open to developing joint manufacturing and value-added projects, including equipment, electrical components, and cables. In the mining sector, the country aims to cover the full value chain and become a regional hub.

“We operate on a win-win principle, understand investors’ expectations, and are ready to act as a unified team,” the minister concluded.