Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - Russia’s VEB.RF and the Ministry of Finance of Uzbekistan signed a loan agreement providing for financing the modernization of 95 pumping stations in Bukhara, Navoi, Kashkadarya, Samarkand and Surkhandarya regions.

The total cost of the project makes up 213.5 million euris. VEB.RF will provide 146.1 million euros to finance the project. 67.4 million euros will be allocated from the budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Almost 80% of the working units are produced in Russia, they are distinguished by high performance characteristics, as well as the quality of materials, including metal alloys.

Currently, more than 50 percent of the irrigated land in Uzbekistan is provided with pump irrigation water from 1,600 pumping stations. More than 70% of operating pumping stations have become obsolete as a result of operation for more than 30 years.

In this regard, the modernization of pumping stations by installing energy-efficient pumping equipment, as well as the introduction of an automated system for monitoring the parameters of pumping stations (SCADA) is one of the most important tasks in the development of the water economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The modernization of the system will increase the sown area and yield of export-oriented agricultural crops, as well as improve water supply to 355 thousand hectares of land and reintroduce 40 thousand hectares of agricultural land. In addition, the installation of 455 energy-efficient pumping units (with an efficiency increase of 10-15%) with auxiliary equipment will reduce operating costs and save up to 40 million kWh of electricity annually.

The project is being implemented within the framework of the program of the Ministry of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the modernization of hydraulic structures for more efficient use of water resources.