2025 was declared 'Year of Pump Efficiency Improvement' in Uzbekistan’s water sector

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced that 2025 will be the "Year of Pump Efficiency Improvement" in Uzbekistan's water sector, underscoring a major shift towards energy-efficient irrigation. During a meeting on November 7, Mirziyoyev outlined plans to reduce electricity consumption and modernize irrigation infrastructure.

Over 1,600 pumping stations consume 6.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually to irrigate 2.5 million hectares of farmland, a sharp rise in land and energy use since 2017.

The government aims to cut energy costs by up to 20% by installing high-efficiency pumps and solar panels through public-private partnerships.

The Jizzakh and Namangan main pumping stations will undergo transparent international tenders to attract private investment for these upgrades.

To further support this initiative, 1,700 farm-based pumps—consuming 1 billion kilowatt-hours yearly—will receive substantial subsidies. This year’s budget allocates 170 billion soums, with an additional 250 billion soums planned for next year to help farmers manage electricity costs.

Building on the success of Khorezm farmers who have already installed efficient pumps and solar panels, saving 20% in energy and generating 7-8 million soums in extra income by selling surplus electricity, Mirziyoyev emphasized expanding this model.

The subsidy for electricity costs will now be linked to pump upgrades and solar installations, to transition 1,000 farms to the new system each year.

This initiative is expected to not only reduce energy consumption but also promote sustainable farming practices and economic benefits for farmers across Uzbekistan.