Uzbekistan to launch 16 major solar and wind power plants in 2025

Uzbekistan will launch 16 large solar and wind power plants, with a combined capacity of 3.5 gigawatts, along with 5 large hydroelectric power plants totaling 160 megawatts and an energy storage capacity of 1.8 gigawatts in 2025. The announcement was made on January 27 during a meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, where the draft of the state program "Environmental Protection and the Green Economy Year" was discussed.

Over the past three years, Uzbekistan has made significant strides in renewable energy, having launched 16 major solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 3.5 gigawatts. Additionally, 35 small hydroelectric power plants have been constructed. A certification system for "green energy" has been introduced, and more than 60,000 households have installed solar panels. The country is also focusing on environmental conservation with ongoing tree planting initiatives and the development of new green spaces as part of the "Green Space" program, while also promoting the efficient use of water resources.

The year 2025 has been designated as the "Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy" in Uzbekistan. A draft state program was developed and made available for public discussion over the course of a month. During this period, 11 million citizens reviewed the draft, and more than 100 suggestions were incorporated. The United Nations and other international organizations have expressed their support for cooperation on this initiative.

Thanks to the momentum in recent years, Uzbekistan's share of "green" energy in the country's total energy capacity has reached 16 percent. This figure is expected to rise to 26 percent in 2025. The government plans to commission 16 major solar and wind power plants, along with 5 large hydroelectric plants and energy storage capacities of 1.8 gigawatts to help achieve this goal. The President has also instructed officials to explore additional projects to generate 1 gigawatt of energy capacity.

The government will further promote the installation of solar panels in state-owned enterprises, industrial facilities, and private homes, with a loan of 2 trillion soums allocated to fund these initiatives. Additionally, heat pumps will be introduced in schools, kindergartens, and hospitals, based on the successful implementation in School No. 19 in the Boyovut district of the Syrdarya region.

Economic growth remains a priority, with a target to maintain a minimum 6 percent growth rate and to increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to over $125 billion this year. Achieving this goal will require a focus on efficiency and cost reduction. To this end, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance has been tasked with developing a program to cut costs by 15-20 percent and enhance value added through energy efficiency.

The President emphasized the need to transition to a resource-efficient economic model, noting that sectors such as electrical engineering, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and food industries generate 15-20 times more added value per ton of energy compared to the chemical, construction materials, and textile industries. As such, the government has set clear objectives for resource savings and the development of energy-efficient industries that produce higher added value.

In line with these efforts, 400 large industrial enterprises with high energy consumption will undergo energy audits, and energy-saving technologies will be introduced. As global demand for products made with "green technology" increases, Uzbekistan is focused on meeting these international standards. By 2030, 55% of production and infrastructure projects will be "green," with 15% targeted for 2025 and 30% by 2027. The government is also working to attract $300 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank, and other financial institutions to support low-carbon projects.

In the construction of energy complexes, $4 billion worth of equipment and components will be produced locally, boosting the "green component" in major projects from 25% to 31%. The "Green Space" program has seen the planting of 200 million trees annually, with 698 gardens and 316 public parks established over the last three years. Additionally, nearly 2 million hectares of shrubland have been created in the previously barren bottom of the Aral Sea.