Uzbekistan signs $4.7bn energy deals, plans nuclear plants
Usagevpn.com – Uzbekistan signs 4 7bn energy deals as it prepares to expand electricity generation, storage and nuclear capacity. The six agreements, announced in Tashkent after talks led by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, are valued at $4.7 billion (€4.19 billion) and cover 3,000 MW of new generation alongside 400 MW of storage.
The planned investments are intended to meet growing demand from industry, businesses and data centres while attracting international capital to the country’s power sector.
Companies involved include Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power and Saudi Tabreed, UAE-based AMEA Power, Japan’s Toyota Tsusho and Sojitz, France’s EDF, Qatar’s Nebras Power, as well as StorEn and CRE International.
Grid planning and competitive tenders
Uzbekistan has attracted $35 billion (€31.2 billion) in energy-sector investment over the past decade. Mirziyoyev said the next stage must focus on connecting projects through a coordinated national system rather than developing isolated plants.
“We need an integrated energy system, not isolated power plants,” Mirziyoyev said.
Earlier projects allowed developers to choose locations independently, contributing to an uneven spread of generating capacity and higher transmission costs for areas farther from power plants.
Future projects are expected to be awarded through competitive tenders, with grid-access conditions and electricity-purchase terms published before bidding starts. The government also plans to tender six wind and solar schemes with combined capacity of 2,200 MW.
Uzbekistan’s first National Energy Master Plan is due by July 2027 and will set out the sector’s direction through 2050. A separate map of potential grid connections is expected in March to help investors identify suitable locations for new capacity.
Power targets through 2030
By 2030, Uzbekistan aims to add 22 GW of generating capacity, build 5,000 kilometres of power lines and install 16 substations. Energy storage capacity is planned to reach 4.5 GW.
Annual electricity output is projected to exceed 129 billion kilowatt-hours by the end of the decade. Renewables, including hydropower, are expected to provide 54% of generation, up from 31% currently.
The government has also identified 12 industrial projects worth $850 million (€758 million) to support domestic production of energy equipment. The programme could reduce reliance on imported components as the wider power network grows.
World Bank Central Asia division director Najy Benhassine said economic growth would require more generation as well as stronger transmission and distribution networks.
“All of this will need energy, will need more generation, but will also need the transmission infrastructure and efficient distribution to power the future growth of the country,” Benhassine said.
Neil McKain, the International Finance Corporation’s country manager for Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, also highlighted energy efficiency, describing Uzbekistan as a highly energy-intensive economy. He said competitive procurement and higher electricity tariffs had improved the investment case for projects, including a 1.6 GW gas-fired plant in Syrdarya expected to begin operating this year.
Plans for second and third nuclear plants
While Uzbekistan signs 4 7bn energy agreements across several technologies, nuclear generation remains a major part of the country’s longer-term plans. Mirziyoyev said Uzbekistan intends to develop a second and third nuclear power plant, with discussions involving potential investors in the second project scheduled for Saturday.
“We have started the first nuclear power plant, and we have plans for the second and third as well,” he said.
Construction of the first nuclear facility began in June in the Jizzakh region. Russia’s Rosatom is developing the project, which is planned to include two large reactors and two smaller units with total capacity of 2,110 MW. Its cost has been estimated at up to $9.5 billion (€8.48 billion), with initial technical commissioning planned for 2029.
FAQ: Uzbekistan’s energy expansion
What do the $4.7 billion agreements cover? The agreements cover 3,000 MW of additional electricity generation and 400 MW of storage capacity, involving companies from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Japan, France, Qatar and other partners.
What is Uzbekistan targeting by 2030? The country plans to add 22 GW of generation capacity, build 5,000 kilometres of power lines, install 16 substations and reach 4.5 GW of energy storage.
Where is Uzbekistan’s first nuclear plant being built? The first facility is under development in the Jizzakh region. It is designed for total output of 2,110 MW and is being developed by Rosatom.
