President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on further measures to develop a network of small and micro hydropower plants.

Uzbekistan is paying particular attention to increasing the use of renewable energy sources and making more efficient use of the energy potential of existing water resources. Small and micro hydropower plants play an important role in supplying electricity to remote areas, reducing losses in power networks, and attracting private investment.

Under a separate resolution adopted last year, it was planned to build nearly 3,000 small and micro hydropower plants with a total capacity of 164 megawatts, with the participation of the private sector.

To date, 64 projects have been commissioned, with a combined capacity of 41.6 megawatts. However, this represents only about one-quarter of the planned capacity. Of the nearly 3,000 projects planned, investors have been identified for 932. It was also noted that the utilization of $150 million in concessional financing allocated with the participation of the World Bank has been progressing slowly.

It was pointed out that entrepreneurs and investors have numerous questions regarding the conditions for constructing the plants and selling the electricity generated.

In this regard, it was proposed to establish, in auctions, not only the starting price of a project but also a minimum tariff for purchasing the electricity generated, while differentiating tariffs according to the capacity of the hydropower plant. This would help address the problem of projects won at a “zero” price but subsequently left unimplemented, while creating clear and stable conditions for investors.

In addition, the design and construction of micro hydropower plants with a capacity of up to 100 kilowatts will be carried out under a simplified procedure. Projects with a capacity of up to 50 kilowatts will be exempt from urban planning document reviews and state architectural and construction supervision.

Permission will also be granted to modify the structures of canals, rivers, and waterways in order to create additional water pressure. Water management facilities will be allowed to construct small and micro hydropower plants for their own needs without going through an auction.

A digital platform will be introduced covering the entire process, from identifying suitable locations for projects to their commissioning and operation. At the same time, a unified methodological guide for the design, construction, and operation of such facilities will be developed, along with procedures for implementing projects with private-sector participation.

Another pressing issue in the sector is its high dependence on imports. Currently, 90 percent of the hydro units and components required for small and micro hydropower plants are imported.

In this regard, the importance of drawing on the experience of Uzbekhydroenergo JSC, which has constructed 46 small and micro hydropower plants, was emphasized. The company will provide entrepreneurs with comprehensive services covering design, construction and installation works, and equipment supply. A specific list of hydro units and components that can be localized will be compiled, and proposals will be made to entrepreneurs and investors to manufacture them domestically.

The total length of Uzbekistan’s river and canal network exceeds 173,000 kilometers. The presentation noted that there is significant potential for constructing small and micro hydropower plants on concrete-lined canals. Officials were instructed to conduct a comprehensive inventory of such facilities and identify a pipeline of additional projects.

Overall, by 2030, the plan is to increase the capacity of these hydropower plants to 204.8 megawatts and generate 620 million kilowatt-hours of environmentally friendly electricity annually.

This would make it possible to supply 350,000 households with “green” energy, save 187 million cubic meters of natural gas annually, and prevent the emission of 311,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Starting from the new academic year, a dual education system will also be introduced to train highly qualified specialists in small-scale “green” energy fields. Energy companies, including small hydropower facilities, will serve as practical training bases for students.

The President instructed officials to accelerate the implementation of the planned projects, expand the attraction of private investment into the sector, use financial resources efficiently, localize equipment production, and ensure the training of qualified specialists.