Uzbekistan annually loses about US$6 billion due to power shortage

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan’s economy loses US$6 billion annually due to short supply of electricity. This was announced by Deputy Minister of Energy Sherzod Hadjaev with reference to the calculations of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Sherzod Hadjaev reminded that in March Uzbekistan adopted a strategy for further development and reform of the electricity sector in Uzbekistan.

According to him, implementation of the strategy will make it possible to generate and transmit as much electricity as is required by the branches of the economy.

Hadjaev added that this document also aims to cover peak loads, that is, it implies a certain margin of safety. “Now, unfortunately, we do not have this safety margin,” he said.

After 10 years, the country should have at least 20% of additional generating capacity to cover peak loads.

The Deputy Minister of Energy noted that interruptions in electricity supply in the country will sharply decrease. He added that the ministry will try to reduce them to zero.