Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — As part of the strategic initiatives of Uzbekhydroenergo JSC to expand the country’s hydropower potential, Uzbekistan is actively advancing projects to construct large, small, and micro hydroelectric power plants across various regions.

One of the most ambitious undertakings in this program is the construction of the “Norin HPP Cascade” in the Namangan region, along the Norin River.

The project entails the construction of six hydroelectric power plants, each with a capacity of 38 megawatts, totaling 228 megawatts of installed power.

On 6 July 2025, the construction site was visited by a delegation led by Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov. The delegation also included Minister of Energy Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, Minister of Water Resources Shavkat Khamrayev, Namangan region hokim Shavkat Abdurazzakov, and other high-ranking officials.

Detailed information was presented on the progress of the project, including completed works, construction phases, technical specifications, and expected completion timelines.

Chairman of the Board of Uzbekhydroenergo, Abdugani Sanginov, reported that the first station in the cascade—HPP-1—is scheduled to be commissioned ahead of Uzbekistan’s 34th Independence Day. Intensive construction work is currently underway in line with the approved schedule.

It is worth noting that the Norin HPP Cascade is the most extensive hydropower project ever undertaken in the history of the Namangan region. What sets this project apart is not only its scale and output but also the fact that it is being fully implemented using Uzbekhydroenergo’s own funds, without any external financing.

All design, construction, and installation work is being carried out by domestic companies. The main equipment is being produced at the UzHydroPower plant, located in the Bostanlyk district of Tashkent region. The plant operates under Uzbekhydroenergo and manufactures products under the “Made in Uzbekistan” label.

As such, the Norin Cascade is becoming the country’s first fully “national” hydropower project, based entirely on domestic engineering and manufacturing capabilities.

Once operating at full capacity, the Norin HPPs will generate approximately 1,025 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually—enough to supply energy to around 430,000 households.

Moreover, the project is expected to save about 277 million cubic meters of natural gas each year. Beyond enhancing the region’s energy independence, this initiative will make a significant contribution to the sustainable socio-economic development of the Namangan region, improving the quality of life for its residents.