Uzbekistan without gas and without noise

As winter approaches, heating homes and refueling vehicles have become pressing concerns for many Uzbeks. Long queues stretching several kilometers are now a common sight at gas stations. The rising demand for electricity, natural gas, and heating resources is straining the country’s infrastructure and testing the patience of its citizens. For those living in rural areas—where nearly half of Uzbekistan's population resides—the mention of electricity or gas often elicits the rhetorical question, "What is that?"  

In 2024, while some nations are launching rockets to the moon, parts of Uzbekistan remain without access to basic utilities like electricity or natural gas. A recent conversation with a friend living in the remote Surkhandarya region shed light on the resilience of rural communities. According to him, preparations for winter begin as early as spring, right after the last traces of snow have melted. Families collect firewood, dig coal, and make necessary provisions throughout the sunny months. He recounted how, during last year’s harsh winter, while residents of the capital lamented gas outages and criticized the inefficiencies of the energy system, those in his village stayed warm. Their survival wasn’t due to state support but their own foresight and hard work. These were the families who sacrificed summer relaxation to ensure they would weather the cold months. On the other hand, those who failed to prepare found themselves struggling in freezing conditions.  

Yet, having a gas supply in your neighborhood is no guarantee of comfort. For years, even residents of Tashkent have struggled with low gas pressure and frequent outages. Many are forced to brave the cold, queuing at gas stations early in the morning to secure their share of resources. The irony of the situation is compounded by reports of Uzbekistan exporting its energy resources abroad, even as its citizens face shortages at home.  

Today, we’ll explore these persistent energy challenges, revisit the unfulfilled promises of energy ministers, and examine why resources remain inaccessible to so many. If you’re fortunate enough to have gas at home, make yourself a hot cup of coffee, sit back, and reflect on these pressing issues.

                                                             "We still have plenty of gas!"  

Uzbekistan ranks 21st in the world for natural gas reserves, with proven reserves amounting to 1.8 trillion cubic meters. However, concerns arise every winter about whether these reserves can meet the country’s growing demand.  

On September 11, 2023, Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamahmudov addressed this issue during a press briefing. He stated that Uzbekistan has already depleted 85 percent of its natural gas reserves due to long-term usage of its fields, forcing the country to import electricity and natural gas from abroad.  

“Eighty-five percent of Uzbekistan’s fields are exhausted. Extracting the remaining gas will require significant financial investment. To compensate, we are compelled to import electricity and natural gas. Previously, Uzbekistan never purchased these resources. Now, imports are acquired at market prices, with the cost difference subsidized from the state budget,” Mirzamahmudov explained. 

The following day, Ulugbek Nazarov, chairman of "Uzlitineftgaz" JSC, presented a more optimistic perspective. Speaking to journalists, he reassured that there are still substantial gas reserves in the fields.  

Sherzod Khujaev, who served as Deputy Minister of Energy in 2022, offered further clarification about the state of Uzbekistan’s gas fields. 

“Many new fields are being discovered, which helps offset the decline in older fields. However, it’s important to note that while new production volumes cover losses from older fields, this does not eliminate the issue of depletion,” Khujaev stated.

Despite sitting atop vast natural gas reserves, Uzbeks are often forced to burn coal during the winter, endure long lines at gas stations, and struggle to find fuel even in the summer. While officials boast about abundant reserves, data from the Statistics Agency paints a different picture: natural gas production in Uzbekistan has steadily declined over the past five years. In the first nine months of 2024, production was nearly 5% lower compared to the same period last year.  

The Ministry of Energy, along with its former and current ministers, has repeatedly sought to reassure Uzbeks grappling with electricity shortages in summer and gas shortages in winter.  

In 2021, then-Minister of Energy Alisher Sultanov famously declared in an interview with Voice of America, “Our gas can feed three Uzbekistans.” Three years later, that optimism rings hollow, as the country continues to struggle to meet its own energy needs. At the time, Sultanov responded to public frustration over gas shortages by emphasizing the need for conservation.  

“Our gas can feed three Uzbekistans. Therefore, energy efficiency should be our main motto. Our most important reform over the years has been energy saving. If we start teaching children early—turning off water while brushing their teeth, switching off lights when leaving a room—we can instill a culture of conservation. This also applies to energy efficiency in production,” Sultanov explained.  

Current Minister of Energy Jurabek Mirzamahmudov, who recently received the Order of Friendship in honor of Uzbekistan's 33rd independence anniversary, has also frequently addressed the nation’s energy challenges. On November 22, 2023, during the "Government Hour" at the Legislative Chamber of the Supreme Majlis, Mirzamahmudov discussed preparations for the autumn-winter season. During the session, Deputy Umida Rahmonova questioned the minister about the readiness of Uzbekistan’s energy system for the winter of 2023.

At the same meeting, Minister Jurabek Mirzamahmudov announced that 14 trillion sums had been spent on modernizing Uzbekistan’s energy sector.  

“Credit resources were secured to finance the import of equipment, cables, and transformers that are not produced domestically. All financial indicators, including loan repayments and the ability of 'Regional Electric Networks' to cover these repayments through their financial flows, were accounted for in the resolution issued by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. If more detailed information is required, we can provide it in writing through a separate closed letter,” the minister stated.  

A recurring issue when addressing energy challenges in Uzbekistan is the aging infrastructure, particularly the outdated and poorly maintained transformers. The high degree of wear and tear, coupled with decades of insufficient repairs, is often cited as the main reason for power outages and unreliable energy supplies.  

For instance, in September 2023, ahead of the winter season, Minister Mirzamakhmudov acknowledged these systemic issues during a press briefing. He explained that 37.6 percent of the country’s 238,600 kilometers of power lines had been in operation for over 40 years. By technical standards, such equipment requires overhauls every 15 to 25 years at most. The failure to update these networks over decades has left Uzbekistan grappling with persistent problems in its gas and electricity supply systems.  

However, for most citizens, the pressing concern is not the technical state of the system but the immediate lack of gas in their homes during harsh winter months. One might question whether the minister's public statements, often reiterating the same challenges, are backed by concrete solutions. While promises are made and assurances are given almost every winter, tangible improvements remain elusive. The gap between official "on-duty" statements and practical implementation continues to frustrate the public.

                                                             Limits on gas and electricity  

When discussing gas and electricity, it’s impossible to ignore the restrictions placed on their use. While the history of these limits is extensive, let’s focus on the current situation. With the transition to winter, the monthly gas consumption norm of 100 cubic meters for other seasons has been raised to 500 cubic meters. To clarify, if you consume up to 500 cubic meters of gas in a month, you will pay 650 sums per cubic meter. However, should your consumption exceed this limit—due to colder weather—you will pay 1,500 sums for each additional cubic meter. For example, if you use 700 cubic meters of gas in a month, you will pay 325,000 sums for the first 500 cubic meters and 300,000 sums for the extra 200 cubic meters, totaling 625,000 sums for gas alone. The total cost depends on the size of your home and your consumption levels, which vary from household to household.  

The recurring seasonal gas shortage continues to push the Uzbek government to explore alternative energy sources. In response, efforts to reduce gas exports have been coupled with initiatives to promote solar energy. While the installation of solar panels was initially framed as a voluntary measure, reports from entrepreneurs during the summer months suggest that many were pressured into installing them. Some, however, have reported earning a profit from the initiative.  

                                                                  Ecology and dung

Uzbekistan faces a paradox in its approach to environmental issues. On one hand, the country penalizes illegal tree-cutting and criticizes its position in air pollution rankings. On the other, it forces households to burn coal in winter, exacerbating pollution, and relegates women to traditional heating methods, such as the dung (a traditional stove), often under difficult conditions.  

Energy shortages have led to serious health and safety concerns, sometimes with tragic consequences. In remote villages where gas does not reach, families are forced to rely on homemade stoves or heating devices. Burning coal to survive the cold often results in carbon monoxide poisoning. Despite repeated warnings about safety measures, the absence of proper infrastructure and resources leaves residents with few options to follow these guidelines.  

Each winter, reports of deaths and injuries from carbon monoxide poisoning rise. For instance, in 2020 alone, there were 70 reported cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, resulting in 66 injuries and 91 deaths. These tragedies highlight the severe human cost of Uzbekistan’s energy challenges, as families lose loved ones to a crisis that remains unresolved.

                                         The population, exports, and imports are all on the rise

As winter deepens, many Uzbeks—those who endure frequent power outages, struggle to heat their homes, and face the rising costs of gas—are left asking a pressing question: Can’t we use our gas to stay warm instead of selling it abroad?

In September 2022, during a session at the Tashkent Regional Council of People's Deputies, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed the issue of exports:  

"Previously, our main exports were cotton and gas. Now we are not exporting either cotton or gas. We are even buying gas from abroad. The reason is that our industry is developing. Even though these two main products are not exported, our export volume has increased 5-6 times compared to 2016," said the president.  

However, despite the president’s statement that gas exports had ceased, statistics tell a different story. Over the past two years, gas exports have continued to grow alongside imports, as reflected in the data:  

2022  
- Gas exports: $910.9 million  
- Electricity exports: $76.8 million  
- Gas imports: $281.9 million  
- Electricity imports: $121.9 million  

2023  
- Gas exports: $529.9 million  
- Electricity exports: $76.6 million  
- Gas imports: $694.9 million  
- Electricity imports: $121.5 million  

 January-October 2024  
- Gas exports: $540 million  
- Electricity exports: $81.7 million  
- Gas imports: $1.365 billion  
- Electricity imports: $102.6 million

While fundamental issues in Uzbekistan’s energy sector remain unresolved, Minister of Energy Jurabek Mirzamahmudov recently announced ambitious plans for electricity exports to Europe by 2030.  

“By the end of this year, we will increase the total energy capacity from renewable energy sources to more than 4 GW. By 2030, this figure will exceed 20 GW, of which 2-5 GW will be exported to Europe,” stated the minister.  

Mirzamahmudov explained that the electricity would be transmitted through Kazakhstan via the Central Asian Unified Energy System. From there, it would travel through a deep-sea cable under the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan, then to Georgia, and finally across the Black Sea to Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria.  

However, the promises of energy officials have often failed to materialize. Persistent problems such as inadequate gas supply to households, closures of gas stations during crises, and declining domestic gas availability highlight the stark contrast between official statements and the lived reality of ordinary citizens.  

To date, Uzbekistan exports gas primarily to China, as well as to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. According to data from the Chinese Customs Administration, Uzbekistan’s gas exports to China amounted to $499 million in the first ten months of 2024, a 16.6% increase compared to the same period in 2023. However, as physical volumes are not disclosed, it remains unclear how much gas Uzbekistan is selling to China in practical terms.  

Can Uzbekistan meet its domestic gas needs without relying on exports? This pressing question lingers in the minds of many citizens who endure shortages and rising prices. Despite efforts to contact several economists for clarity on this issue, none were able to provide a definitive answer.