The development of «green» energy is one of the key objectives for the development of Uzbekistan

Adopted in 2022, the Programme on Transition to a Green Economy and Green Growth in the Republic of Uzbekistan until 2030 has set as its main objective:

- a multiple increase in the production capacity of renewable energy sources;

- increasing energy efficiency in the industrial sector by at least 20 per cent;

- reducing energy intensity per unit of gross domestic product by 30 per cent, including through increased use of renewable energy sources.

Uzbekistan intends to increase the capacity of renewable energy sources to 27 gigawatts by 2030, and the total volume of electricity production from renewable and alternative sources in the total volume of energy production to at least 40 per cent. This will allow our country not only to diversify its energy resources, but no less importantly to reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere by 34 million tonnes.

Uzbekistan has a unique potential for RES development. Analysis shows that the potential of solar and wind energy in our country is 10-12 times higher than the current demand for electricity.

Recent data shows that Uzbekistan has made significant progress in the development of renewable energy sources. According to forecasts, the share of RES is planned to increase from 10% to 18% of total electricity generation in 2024.

At the same time, work in this direction continues by leaps and bounds. Currently, our country continues to work on 28 projects based on public-private partnerships for the construction of solar, wind and hybrid power plants with a total capacity of 6.3 gigawatts. Of these, in 2023, the first capacities were launched within 7 projects for 2.6 gigawatts.

Modern solar and wind power plants are being built in almost all regions. In particular, 9 large solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 1.6 gigawatts have been launched in Bukhara, Jizzakh, Kashkadarya, Navoi, Samarkand and Surkhandarya. In Andijan, Samarkand, Surkhandarya and Tashkent regions, 6 large and small hydroelectric power plants with a total capacity of 183 megawatts have been commissioned.

Solar panels with a total capacity of 457 megawatts have been installed at social facilities, enterprises and organizations, buildings owned by entrepreneurs, and residential buildings. As a result, the possibility of producing an additional 5 billion kilowatt-hours of environmentally friendly electricity and saving 1.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas has been created.

Uzbekistan's green energy sector is of great interest to foreign investors. According to official data, $8 billion in foreign direct investment has been invested in this sector over the past three years, and projects worth $13 billion are being implemented.

Work is currently underway on 12 projects to build green power plants and energy storage systems in collaboration with companies from countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, China, France and Switzerland.

In particular, in 2024 it is planned to increase the total capacity of solar power plants to 2.6 gigawatts, wind power plants to 900 megawatts, and launch energy storage devices with a capacity of 400 megawatts.

The energy sector of Uzbekistan is becoming a new Klondike not only for foreign investors, but also for the population itself. In order to increase the interest of electricity consumers in switching to renewable energy sources, the Solar Home program is in effect in our country. According to this program, residents who install solar panels are paid 1,000 soums for each kilowatt of electricity. Currently, more than 11,000 homeowners are already effectively using this opportunity.

Such large-scale deployment of renewable energy production will optimize the use of resources. For example, reaching the share of renewable energy sources in the country's energy balance up to 25% will allow saving 3 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually. This amount of gas can provide 1 million households for 1 year. Or, using this amount of gas, it is possible to produce an additional 15 billion kWh of electricity. This is enough to provide electricity to 98% of the population of Uzbekistan for a year.

The transition to "green" energy, having a positive multiplier effect, is becoming one of the key drivers of our economy, increasing export volumes and attracting investment. In particular, in recent years there has been a significant increase in the production of transformers, various types of cables, heat collectors, solar panels, insulators, metal structures and other products.

Uzbekistan, being the main foreign supplier of electricity to Afghanistan, exported electricity to this country in the amount of over $90 million in 2023 and thus makes an invaluable contribution to increasing the economic potential and stabilizing the situation in this country.

Green energy is also becoming an important area of interregional cooperation. In particular, in 2023, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan signed a joint communiqué in Baku, in which they noted the potential of the countries in the field of renewable energy and their readiness to join the project to export electricity from alternative sources to Europe. The development of the green electricity transfer project will help strengthen the ties between our economies and energy systems, and will also allow the development of national energy industries.

For Uzbekistan, which is facing climate change and the rapid depletion of fossil fuels, the transition to “green energy” is not a pursuit of a fashionable trend – it is a truly urgent need recognized by international organizations.

Currently, the problem of climate change and the green transition are on the agenda of all major international organizations. As UN Secretary General A. Guterres noted, climate change is a real and undeniable threat to all of humanity. Those who do not believe in the "green" economy will face a "gray" future."

Another international organization, the IMF, believes that the transition to a low-carbon economy will help create new opportunities, including jobs. According to IMF estimates, as a result of the green transition, the world's gross domestic product could be 7% higher by 2050 than without taking measures to reduce carbon emissions.

On the other hand, the steady population growth and dynamic economic development observed in recent years require an increase in electricity production. For example, Uzbekistan's GDP increased from $69.2 billion to $91 billion in 2021-2023 alone. According to forecasts, by 2030 Uzbekistan's GDP will be $160 billion, and the population will reach 40 million people.

It is precisely through renewable energy sources that this demand should be met, since this will simultaneously improve energy supply and fulfill the country’s obligations under the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Today, Uzbekistan has a very broad potential for the development of renewable energy sources. Our country is distinguished not only by its four-season nature, rare underground and above-ground resources, but also by unique features - sunny skies, windy expanses, fast rivers and biological resources.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the transition to renewable energy sources cannot happen overnight, but the fact that Uzbekistan has made the development of «green» energy one of the key objectives of its development strategy, strives for sustainable energy development and implements policies that promote its expansion is truly inspiring. These initiatives will allow for the rational use of the country's natural resources, free up billions of subsidies from the state budget and ensure stable economic development for future generations.