Current work and future plans in the hydropower sector were reviewed
Uzbekistan
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on measures for the further development of the hydropower sector.
Uzbekistan has over 150,000 kilometers of rivers, streams, and canals. These sources are strategically important not only for drinking water supply and irrigation, but also for energy, the economy, and the environment.
Currently, the majority of electricity generation relies on natural gas and coal. Hydropower accounts for approximately 10-12 percent. Therefore, the development of hydropower plays a crucial role in ensuring the stability of the energy system, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and ensuring the efficient use of water resources.
Significant progress has been made in the sector in recent years. In 2017, there were 36 hydroelectric power plants, and by 2025, that number will increase to 100. Their total capacity has increased from 1.6 gigawatts to 2.4 gigawatts. The UzHydroPower plant has been built, becoming the only one in Central Asia manufacturing hydroelectric units and process equipment. The first phase of the Naryn Cascade of Hydroelectric Power Plants, launched last year, was implemented for the first time using the "national project" model—all work was carried out entirely by domestic companies.
At the same time, it was noted that a significant portion of the country's hydroelectric potential remains untapped. As the population and economy grow, so does the demand for electricity, so the need to fully utilize the energy potential of every river, stream, and canal, as well as to accelerate the commissioning of new capacity, was emphasized.
The presentation reviewed plans for the implementation of 73 promising projects worth a total of $5.8 billion between 2026 and 2032. This is expected to create an additional capacity of 3.6 gigawatts.
This year, 13 hydroelectric power plants are scheduled to come online. Their combined capacity will be 114 megawatts, with an annual electricity generation capacity of 537 million kilowatt-hours. These projects will create 254 jobs. Additionally, a 20-megawatt wind farm is being built in the Bostanlyk district using $28 million in grants.
Of the major projects, the construction of the Verkhne-Pskemskaya Hydroelectric Power Station (HPP) in the Bostanlyk district is of particular significance. This $365 million project will have a capacity of 160 megawatts and an annual output of 484 million kilowatt-hours. This will provide electricity to 161,000 households. The share of local content in the project will be 82 percent.
In the Sokh district of the Fergana region, the Sokh HPP is planned to be built using the "national project" principle. The 15-megawatt station will generate 50 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and reliably cover 71 percent of the district's electricity needs.
The hydroelectric potential of the Upper Tupalang waterways was also examined. The construction of 42 small hydroelectric power plants on the rivers and streams flowing into the Tupalang Reservoir will create 541 megawatts of capacity and generate approximately 1.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
It was noted that energy storage and redistribution systems through the construction of pumped-storage hydroelectric power plants are being widely implemented globally. The possibility of constructing the first three such plants in our country, with a total capacity of 1.4 gigawatts, is being considered.
Plans for the construction of 2,983 small and micro hydroelectric power plants with a total capacity of 164 megawatts were also discussed.
The implementation of digitalization and artificial intelligence technologies has been identified as an important area for improving the industry's efficiency. It is planned to gradually introduce digital monitoring systems that will enable online monitoring of water levels and volumes, pressure, weather data, and production processes in reservoirs and hydraulic structures. Currently, 3,500 monitoring and measuring devices have been installed to ensure reservoir safety.
The head of state gave specific instructions to responsible officials on the timely and high-quality implementation of projects and increasing the level of localization in the hydropower sector.
The presentation also included information on the improvement of riverbanks and canals in the capital, as well as the creation of artificial lakes and reservoirs to create a cool urban microclimate.
In particular, the "Coastal Zone" project plans to improve 306 hectares of land along the 16-kilometer stretch of the Chirchik River that flows through the capital. The project includes riverbank reinforcement, the creation of green areas, and the placement of retail and service facilities. A 187.3-hectare green belt will be created along the Bektemir Canal, along with promenade areas, pedestrian and bicycle paths, internal roads, lighting systems, and bridges.
A project to create four artificial lakes and reservoirs in the capital was also presented. The President noted that this is insufficient to create a comfortable environment and a cool microclimate, and ordered that their number be increased to 12.
Currently, the majority of electricity generation relies on natural gas and coal. Hydropower accounts for approximately 10-12 percent. Therefore, the development of hydropower plays a crucial role in ensuring the stability of the energy system, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and ensuring the efficient use of water resources.
Significant progress has been made in the sector in recent years. In 2017, there were 36 hydroelectric power plants, and by 2025, that number will increase to 100. Their total capacity has increased from 1.6 gigawatts to 2.4 gigawatts. The UzHydroPower plant has been built, becoming the only one in Central Asia manufacturing hydroelectric units and process equipment. The first phase of the Naryn Cascade of Hydroelectric Power Plants, launched last year, was implemented for the first time using the "national project" model—all work was carried out entirely by domestic companies.
At the same time, it was noted that a significant portion of the country's hydroelectric potential remains untapped. As the population and economy grow, so does the demand for electricity, so the need to fully utilize the energy potential of every river, stream, and canal, as well as to accelerate the commissioning of new capacity, was emphasized.
The presentation reviewed plans for the implementation of 73 promising projects worth a total of $5.8 billion between 2026 and 2032. This is expected to create an additional capacity of 3.6 gigawatts.
This year, 13 hydroelectric power plants are scheduled to come online. Their combined capacity will be 114 megawatts, with an annual electricity generation capacity of 537 million kilowatt-hours. These projects will create 254 jobs. Additionally, a 20-megawatt wind farm is being built in the Bostanlyk district using $28 million in grants.
Of the major projects, the construction of the Verkhne-Pskemskaya Hydroelectric Power Station (HPP) in the Bostanlyk district is of particular significance. This $365 million project will have a capacity of 160 megawatts and an annual output of 484 million kilowatt-hours. This will provide electricity to 161,000 households. The share of local content in the project will be 82 percent.
In the Sokh district of the Fergana region, the Sokh HPP is planned to be built using the "national project" principle. The 15-megawatt station will generate 50 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and reliably cover 71 percent of the district's electricity needs.
The hydroelectric potential of the Upper Tupalang waterways was also examined. The construction of 42 small hydroelectric power plants on the rivers and streams flowing into the Tupalang Reservoir will create 541 megawatts of capacity and generate approximately 1.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
It was noted that energy storage and redistribution systems through the construction of pumped-storage hydroelectric power plants are being widely implemented globally. The possibility of constructing the first three such plants in our country, with a total capacity of 1.4 gigawatts, is being considered.
Plans for the construction of 2,983 small and micro hydroelectric power plants with a total capacity of 164 megawatts were also discussed.
The implementation of digitalization and artificial intelligence technologies has been identified as an important area for improving the industry's efficiency. It is planned to gradually introduce digital monitoring systems that will enable online monitoring of water levels and volumes, pressure, weather data, and production processes in reservoirs and hydraulic structures. Currently, 3,500 monitoring and measuring devices have been installed to ensure reservoir safety.
The head of state gave specific instructions to responsible officials on the timely and high-quality implementation of projects and increasing the level of localization in the hydropower sector.
The presentation also included information on the improvement of riverbanks and canals in the capital, as well as the creation of artificial lakes and reservoirs to create a cool urban microclimate.
In particular, the "Coastal Zone" project plans to improve 306 hectares of land along the 16-kilometer stretch of the Chirchik River that flows through the capital. The project includes riverbank reinforcement, the creation of green areas, and the placement of retail and service facilities. A 187.3-hectare green belt will be created along the Bektemir Canal, along with promenade areas, pedestrian and bicycle paths, internal roads, lighting systems, and bridges.
A project to create four artificial lakes and reservoirs in the capital was also presented. The President noted that this is insufficient to create a comfortable environment and a cool microclimate, and ordered that their number be increased to 12.
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