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Uzbekistan has offered Indian companies energy projects worth $3.4 billion
Uzbekistan has offered Indian companies the opportunity to participate in five major energy projects with a total value of $3.4 billion. Energy Minister Sherzod Khodjaev said this in an interview with the Uzbekistan 24 television channel.
According to the minister, Indian companies are already implementing projects in Uzbekistan as contractors. The total value of their portfolio exceeds $2 billion. Now the authorities plan to expand the format of cooperation and attract Indian businesses directly as investors.
The proposed projects cover several areas of energy. These include the construction of high-voltage power transmission lines, hydroelectric power plants, and thermal power plants.
In particular, pumped-storage power plants are planned to be built in Karakalpakstan and the Tashkent region. The construction of a thermal power plant is being considered in the Surkhandarya region.
In addition, the creation of a high-voltage backbone network is planned, which will connect the Tashkent and Namangan regions via the Kamchik Pass. Another project involves the construction of a high-voltage power transmission line from the Navoi region to the Tashkent region.
Necessary studies are currently being conducted for these projects.
The share of local participation is to be increased in the projects
During implementation of the projects, the authorities intend to focus on localization. As Sherzod Khodjaev noted, the main part of the workforce should consist of specialists from Uzbekistan.
At least 50% of design and engineering work is planned to be assigned to local companies. The share of products made in Uzbekistan should be at least 70%.
They have the know-how, while we have not yet fully formed teams to manage such megaprojects. Therefore, their main assistance will be precisely in these areas, the minister said.
Thus, cooperation with Indian companies implies not only attracting capital and technology, but also transferring experience, developing local competencies, and increasing the share of Uzbek companies in the implementation of major energy projects.
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