Uzbekistan to Prepare Preferential Electricity Tariffs for Non-Gasified Areas

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan's Ministry of Energy will prepare changes to the country's tariff policy to introduce preferential electricity rates for residents of areas not connected to the natural gas network, Energy Minister Sherzod Khodjayev said in an interview with the Oʻzbekiston 24 television channel.

According to the minister, around 2,000 mahallas across the country do not have access to natural gas, forcing residents to rely on electricity for heating while paying standard electricity tariffs. He said these consumers should be entitled to discounted electricity rates.

Khodjayev noted that the changes are being prepared following instructions from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The new tariff policy will apply an individual approach, taking into account the availability of energy resources in specific areas, the type of housing—whether apartment buildings or private homes—and other relevant factors.

The minister stressed that addressing challenges in the energy sector requires identifying not only the consequences but also the underlying causes. According to him, it is important to determine whether problems stem from technical, economic or financial issues, or from insufficient responsibility on the part of employees or consumers.

Khodjayev also highlighted the issue of illegal connections to utility networks. He said a significant share of violations is linked to unauthorised connections and noted that some consumers are unaware they are using energy resources illegally.

Speaking about the modernisation of the gas distribution system, the minister said many gas distribution stations were built several decades ago and are no longer capable of maintaining stable gas pressure. New domestically produced gas distribution units, he said, can maintain constant pressure regardless of fluctuations at the inlet and are equipped with modems that transmit operational data to dispatch centres.

At the same time, Khodjayev stressed that infrastructure upgrades alone are insufficient without digital transformation and improvements in workforce skills. In the future, employees of energy companies will receive work assignments through a digital platform that will generate task lists, monitor execution and assess performance.

Similar digital solutions are also expected to be introduced for connecting businesses to utility networks. According to the minister, after information on equipment, business activities and production processes is entered into the system, it will automatically determine the required electricity capacity, power supply category or gas supply parameters and recommend the most suitable connection option.

Khodjayev added that the work of a special task force in Yangiyul district had enabled officials to gain a detailed understanding of the sector's challenges through meetings with residents, entrepreneurs and energy workers.

He said that increasing labour productivity by 1.5 to two times through digital technologies is expected to reduce operating costs in the energy sector, with part of the savings to be used for employee incentives.

The minister added that the model currently being tested in 14 pilot districts will be expanded to all 208 districts and cities of Uzbekistan after identified shortcomings are addressed.