Uzbekistan to Expand Regional Energy Supply Approach

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was briefed on efforts to ensure stable energy supplies in the regions based on the “Yangiyul experience”. Following the review, he ordered the approach to be expanded to all districts across the country, the press service of the President of Uzbekistan reported.

Previously, a task was set to establish a model system in 14 districts, one in each region. The work was organized at the mahalla level, with specialists assessing the condition of energy infrastructure, identifying existing problems and taking targeted measures directly on the ground.

As part of the work, 916 mahallas, 832,000 households, 49,000 businesses and more than 2,200 social facilities were surveyed. An energy passport and an energy resource demand balance were prepared for each mahalla.

For the first time, the gap between actual energy resource needs and available capacity was calculated at the mahalla level. Electricity capacity shortages totaling 60 MW were identified in 265 mahallas, while 42 mahallas faced a natural gas shortage of 47 million cubic meters per year. At the same time, 207 mahallas have available capacity.

According to the calculations, the approach makes it possible to determine future energy resource needs in advance and prepare the necessary infrastructure.

In the 14 districts, the need was identified to repair 5,695 transformers, 6,900 km of electricity networks and 242 km of gas networks, as well as 404 gas distribution units. Work to improve their technical condition and move them into the “green” category has already begun.

So far, 441 transformers, 1,134 km of electricity networks and 88 km of gas networks, as well as 92 gas distribution units, have been repaired. In addition, some facilities whose construction began in previous years under investment programmes but remained unfinished have been commissioned.

Over the next five years, energy resource demand in these districts is expected to increase by 49%, according to the calculations. A five-year programme has therefore been developed to take into account prospective projects and ensure reliable energy supplies for households and businesses.

The programme provides for the replacement of 2,261 transformers and 7,449 km of electricity networks in 721 mahallas. It also includes the replacement of 313 gas distribution units and 327 km of gas networks in 200 mahallas.

Implementation of these measures is expected to create additional transmission capacity of 1,300 MW.

The level of energy consumption at social facilities was also studied. The analysis covered 1,938 facilities, of which 226 with low efficiency indicators were classified as “red”. A programme to switch them to energy-efficient systems has been developed, and its implementation has already begun.

According to the calculations, these measures will allow annual savings of 4.3 million kWh of electricity and 2.1 million cubic meters of natural gas.

Mirziyoyev ordered officials not to limit the work to the approach tested in 14 districts and to expand it to all districts of the republic. In every region, work is to be organized at the mahalla level, energy passports and energy consumption balances are to be prepared, the condition of networks is to be assessed on a targeted basis, and identified problems are to be addressed in stages.

The main task is to shift from addressing energy problems after they arise to identifying them in advance, planning the necessary measures and preventing possible disruptions.

The meeting also reviewed measures to accelerate projects to transfer the regional electricity networks of Samarkand region to foreign investors for management and to build the Surkhan–Pul-i-Khumri high-voltage line.