Power outages cost Uzbekistan economy US$ 6 billion annually, the Deputy Minister of Energy Sherzod Hujaev said at a briefing with reference to the Asian Development Bank.
Mentioning the recent adoption of the Uzbekistan’s electricity sector development and reform strategy, he said the strategy would make it possible to generate the amount of electricity required for the economy.
This could partly be achieved through the government plan to build 25 solar power plants by 2030. The first solar power plant with a capacity of 100 MW will be commissioned in the Navoi province, with the construction works to commence this year. The plant is expected to be completed in two years, he said.
The Minister noted that the blackouts' frequency will fall sharply nearing to zero and that in 10 years Uzbekistan will have at least 20% additional capacity to cover peak loads.
