Uzbekistan Offers India Five Energy Projects Worth US$3.4bn

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan has offered Indian companies the opportunity to participate as investors in five energy projects with a combined value of US$3.4 billion, Energy Minister Sherzod Khodjaev told O’zbekiston 24 television.

Indian companies are already involved as contractors in Uzbekistan’s energy projects, with their combined portfolio exceeding US$2 billion. Uzbekistan is now considering involving the companies directly in financing new projects, the minister said.

The proposed package includes the construction of high-voltage power transmission lines, hydropower plants and thermal power plants. The necessary surveys for the projects are currently being carried out.

In particular, pumped-storage hydropower plants are planned in Karakalpakstan and Tashkent region. Another project involves the construction of a thermal power plant in Surkhandarya region.

Uzbekistan is also proposing the construction of a high-voltage backbone network through the Kamchik Pass to connect Tashkent and Namangan regions. A separate project envisages a high-voltage transmission line between Navoi and Tashkent regions.

The projects are expected to place particular emphasis on localization. Khodjaev said Uzbek citizens should make up the majority of the workforce. At least 50% of design work is proposed to be assigned to local companies, while the share of Uzbekistan-made products is to reach 70%.

The minister said Indian companies are being considered because of their technological expertise and experience in managing large-scale energy projects.

“They have the know-how, while our teams for managing such megaprojects are not yet fully formed, so their main assistance will be in these areas,” Khodjaev said.