Losses in Uzbekistan’s electricity and gas networks increase

Losses in Uzbekistan’s electricity and gas networks increased during the first half of this year. The issue was discussed at a videoconference meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on July 21, focusing on the country's results in the first half of the year and plans for the remainder of 2026.

During the meeting, it was noted that $8 billion will be required for energy infrastructure development over the next decade.

At the same time, insufficient measures are being taken to increase revenues by reducing losses across the networks. Electricity losses reached 17.2 percent, or 4.8 billion kilowatt-hours, during the first six months of the year.

Losses in the gas distribution network amounted to 7.6 percent, or 797 million cubic meters. It was also noted that labor productivity at regional gas network companies is 1.5–2 times lower compared with neighboring countries.

According to an analysis by Franklin Templeton, the market value of Regional Electric Networks could potentially be doubled.

Earlier, in April, President Mirziyoyev instructed officials responsible for districts where electricity losses exceeded 20 percent to be dismissed if they failed to address the issue. Later, following this instruction, the heads of electrical network companies in 44 districts were removed from their positions.