At a meeting of the Legislative Chamber on Thursday, the Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov outlined plans to offset fuel shortages whilst restrictions at gas stations and due to higher demand.
According to him, additional steps have been taken to ensure a stable supply of gasoline, diesel fuel, and fuel oil.
Total demand for diesel fuel is expected to reach 776,000 tons. To meet this demand, the following supplies are planned (a total of 740,000 tons, which is lower than the stated demand):
- 317,000 tons from Uzbekneftegaz;
- 196,000 tons from Saneg;
- 227,000 tons from imports.
The minister underscored that the demand for jet fuel was rising daily due to the growth of tourism and air travel. "To meet the demand for 223,000 tons of jet fuel, we are eyeing 168,000 tons in producetion domestically and import 74,000 tons," he said.
Mirzamakhmudov adedd that production of AI-80 gasoline was halted on September 1, and its sale ceased on December 1. To offset for its absence, production of higher-grade gasoline was increased:
"We increased production of AI-92 gasoline and higher from 80,000 to 100,000 tons per month. And not only did we increase production, but we also created a reserve."
Currently, in addition to the government’s gas reserve, Uzbekneftegaz has created a reserve of 85,000 tons of gasoline for winter demand.
According to the Customs Committee, petroleum product imports reached $1.42 billion in the first 11 months of this year (up by 6% compared to January-November 2024), of which diesel fuel accounted for $500 million (up 70%) and gasoline fuel accounted for $441.7 million (up 14.3%).
Physical diesel fuel supply volumes increased almost 1.9-fold, from 365,200 to 679,500 tons. Gasoline imports increased by 12.6%, from 662.4 million to 746.1 million liters.
Uzbekistan also purchased 2.6 times more kerosene – from 28 thousand to 74.1 thousand tons, and in value terms – from 21.4 million to 65.8 million dollars (3.1 times more).
