Uzbekistan Plans to Introduce Hourly Electricity Tariffs

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan is developing a system of hourly electricity tariffs that will take into account the season and time of day, Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov said while addressing the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis.

The issue of tariffs was raised during a discussion of citizens’ appeals. A deputy from the UzLiDeP faction, Saydullo Azimov, pointed to public dissatisfaction with current energy prices and proposed differentiating tariffs by season, increasing them in summer and reducing them in winter, when electricity consumption rises due to heating needs. He also advocated introducing separate tariffs for households that are not connected to the gas grid.

The energy minister supported the initiative, stressing the need to strike a balance between consumer interests and the sustainability of the energy system. According to him, the ministry is already working on the introduction of a special tariff regime for the heating season that would encourage a shift to electric heating. He noted that using electricity for heating is safer and reduces the risk of emergency situations.

In addition to seasonal differentiation, the introduction of hourly tariffs based on smart metering systems (ASKUE) is planned. During off-peak hours, such as daytime or late evening, electricity prices will be lower, while tariffs will increase during periods of maximum load. According to the minister, this approach will help distribute the load on the power system more evenly and encourage more rational consumption, including for charging electric vehicles.

The country also plans to introduce reduced tariffs for homes equipped with electric stoves instead of gas ones. The new conditions will apply to apartment buildings and dormitories that are not connected to gas networks and use electric heating, as well as to household consumers in non-gasified areas who do not receive liquefied gas or coal at subsidized prices.

During the heating season, consumers in these categories using up to 2,000 kWh per month will pay 50 percent less than the current residential tariff. During the rest of the year, the preferential consumption limit will be set at up to 1,000 kWh per month.

The proposed changes have already undergone preliminary interagency coordination. A technical audit of power grids is currently under way to assess their readiness for additional loads, along with further analysis involving the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Uzenergoinspektsiya, Regional Electric Networks, and Hududgazta’minot.

Once the calculations are completed, a final assessment will be prepared, on the basis of which state authorities will decide on the practical implementation of the new tariff system.