Prices increase, promises increase: What will change in the heating system in 2025?

Starting from November 15, 2024, tariffs for heat supply and hot water services in Tashkent increased by 15 percent. The Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services reported that in 2025, tariffs are expected to rise by another 15 percent not only in Tashkent but also in other regions of Uzbekistan.

“In accordance with the instructions of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, tasks have been set to revise the tariff policy in the heat supply system and improve services provided to the population. In this regard, work is underway to financially strengthen heat supply enterprises and reduce the amount of subsidies. As a result of the revision of tariffs in 2024, prices were increased once in the regions and twice in Tashkent. In 2025, along with the revision of gas and electricity prices, new tariffs for heat supply are expected to be introduced,” said Ilhom Turaev, Head of the Department for Improvement and Development of the Heat Supply System, in an interview with QALAMPIR.UZ.

On April 2, 2024, the retail tariff for heat supply and hot water services to the population increased by 15%, from 91,960 sums per gigacalorie—a rate that had been in place since 2019—to 105,754 sums. Another increase of 15% was implemented on November 15, bringing the retail tariff for the population to 121,617 sums per gigacalorie.

The justification for the expected price hike in 2025 is linked to the high cost of energy resources and the current low cost of heat supply products. To address this gap, authorities plan to review tariffs and bring them closer to market prices. Ilhom Turaev noted that in exchange for the higher prices, efforts will be made to improve the quality of heat supply services for the population.

QALAMPIR.UZ gathered public opinions regarding the rising prices and the current quality of heat supply. Many citizens expressed dissatisfaction with the increases, citing financial strain and insufficient quality of service.

“We cannot afford to pay even now. On the one hand, we have to make ends meet. All payments have become expensive, so it would be nice if the quality was better,” said a pensioner.

“Such issues should be resolved in consultation with the population. We need to get inside the people and find out what they are happy with and what they are unhappy with,” stated a middle-aged woman.

“It is better to study the opinion of the population and make a decision, because now prices are already high and some homes have limited electricity supply. In addition to the increase in gas prices, the increase in heat supply is also making people suffer,” said a middle-aged man.

As part of preparations for the autumn-winter season, the government has allocated over 732.6 billion sums from the budget, with the largest share—623.8 billion sums—dedicated to improving the heating system. These funds were used to launch and repair 736 boilers and 585 kilometers of heating networks, with 634 boilers and 490 kilometers of heating networks allocated for Tashkent alone.

While authorities emphasize the necessity of the tariff increase to ensure a sustainable heat supply system, the public continues to raise concerns over affordability and service quality. The coming months will reveal whether the promised improvements in heating services will materialize alongside the rising costs.