Uzbekistan has become a net exporter of electricity in 2025, stated the Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov at a meeting of the Legislative Chamber last Thursday.
According to him, the exports were made possible by reforms in recent years and commissioning of new energy capacities.
"We have gone from being a net importer to a net exporter of electricity. While previously we imported more electricity in physical volumes, starting this year we have achieved a positive balance thanks to new energy capacities," he said.
Mirzamakhmudov underscored that cooperation in the energy sector with Central Asian countries had contributed to the stabilization of the region's water resources.
"Water management experts can confirm that the delivery of electricity to neighboring Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan has mitigated the impact of low water levels," he said.
According to the minister, despite the fact that water volumes this year were approximately 35% below normal, there were no significant disruptions during the summer.
"There was almost no rain in the summer, yet there were no serious interruptions in water supply during the summer. The balance was maintained thanks to the coordinated work of the energy and water management agencies of the Central Asian countries," Mirzamakhmudov underscored.
He emphasized that farms also had not experienced water shortages:
"Farmers experienced virtually no water shortages. Individual localized problems were more related to technical malfunctions of pumps than to the overall water balance."
The minister attributed the successes to strengthened regional cooperation:
"I believe the positive atmosphere of cooperation created by the presidents of the Central Asian countries played a key role. We are in constant dialogue, even daily if necessary."
Uzbekistan will continue reciprocal supplies with its partners. In November, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan agreed to support Kyrgyzstan with electricity supplies during the winter so that Bishkek can reduce generation at the Toktogul hydroelectric power station and store water. In the summer, the accumulated volumes will be sent to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to irrigate agricultural land.
"As part of reciprocal deliveries, it is planned to transfer 2.6 billion kWh of electricity to the partners. This is being done, firstly, to maintain sufficient water reserves for the growing season," Mirzamakhmudov stated.
The minister reported that during the autumn-winter period, electricity consumption in Uzbekistan will reach approximately 47 billion kWh.
"This amounts to an average of 257 million kWh per day, which is 20 million more than last year. According to our calculations, during the coldest periods of December and January, daily consumption could reach 290 million kWh," he said.
According to the National Statistics Committee, Uzbekistan exported $129.7 million worth of electricity from January to October, a 58.7% increase compared to the same period last year. The volume of imports decreased by 13.7% to $88.6 million.
