The energy industry is actively developing in Uzbekistan. In addition to power plants based on traditional raw materials such as oil and gas, facilities are also being built that generate electricity from renewable sources such as sun, wind and water.

JSC Uzbekgidroenergo was established in 2017 by the decree of the President. Over the past period, 11 new hydroelectric power plants have been built and 8 modernized. Additional power generating capacities of 244 megawatts have been created.

However, the hydropower potential of Uzbekistan is only half used. In this regard, 21 major projects for the construction of power plants with a total capacity of 740 megawatts have been developed. Next year it is planned to implement 7 projects with a total capacity of 170 megawatts, in 2023-2024 – 12 projects with a capacity of 150 megawatts, in 2025-2026 – 2 projects with a capacity of 420 megawatts.

During the presentation, instructions were given on high-quality construction and ensuring the sustainable operation of these structures.

The Head of the state paid special attention to the construction of small hydroelectric power plants that do not require the construction of dams, emphasizing the need for involving the private sector in this sphere.

To date, a list of 22 promising sites has been formed, on which, based on a tender, it is planned to build a mini-hydro electric power plant with a capacity of up to 5 megawatts.

It was also noted that it is possible to install compact hydropower plants with a capacity of up to 500 kilowatts to supply power to villages located along rivers and canals, such as Norin, Sokh, Tankhoz, Oqbuloq, Ugam. The list of such sites will be announced to the population and entrepreneurs. It has been determined that benefits and subsidies given to individuals and entrepreneurs for the installation of wind power plants will also apply to small hydropower plants.

The issue of training qualified specialists for the operation of hydraulic structures was considered. It was noted that higher education institutions in the field of technology, irrigation and architecture need to strengthen work in this direction, create educational laboratories for construction and hydraulics.

By Sher Karimov