Uzbekistan Cuts Electricity Losses After Grid Modernization

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Ministry of Energy of Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan has reported significant reductions in electricity losses following large-scale modernization of the country’s power transmission and distribution infrastructure carried out between 2017 and 2025.

According to the ministry, both high-voltage transmission networks and regional distribution systems were comprehensively upgraded, substantially improving the reliability of the national power system and reducing losses during electricity transmission.

In the high-voltage transmission segment managed by National Electric Networks of Uzbekistan, 2,123 kilometers of 110–500 kV power lines were constructed or reconstructed. Substation capacity increased by 12,608 MVA, and 68 major facilities were commissioned.

As a result, equipment load decreased by 25%, emergency outages were reduced by 40%, and transmission losses fell by 0.5%, equivalent to 269.3 million kWh.

Significant upgrades were also implemented in distribution networks operated by Regional Electric Networks. A total of 77,242 kilometers of 0.4–110 kV power lines were modernized, along with 286 substations and 24,149 transformer points. Equipment loads fell by 25%, outages decreased by 35%, and distribution losses were reduced by 0.5%, or 155.1 million kWh.

The cumulative effect of the reforms extended beyond technical improvements. Reduced losses enabled savings of 128.6 million cubic meters of natural gas and prevented 353,600 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Financial savings totaled 263.1 billion Uzbek soums, highlighting both economic and environmental benefits.

The ministry said the results confirm the strategic importance of ongoing reforms in the sector. Continued modernization and digitalization of the electricity grid remain priority areas for ensuring long-term reliability, efficiency, and sustainability of Uzbekistan’s energy system.