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Uzbekistan plans to implement 73 hydropower projects worth $5.8 billion

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev April 29got acquaintedwith a presentation on measures for the further development of the hydropower industry.

“The issue of hydropower is extremely important today. Currently, all over the world, from the point of view of energy security, calculations, incomes, economic development and its sustainability have shown a high dependence on energy,” the head of state said in a story on the Uzbekistan 24 TV channel.

According to him, the country has more than 150 thousand kilometers of rivers, canals and streams, but a significant part of their energy potential remains unused.

“This is important not only for drinking water supply and irrigation, but also has a direct impact on energy, economics and the environment. The main problem today is that a significant portion of electricity production depends on gas and coal. Therefore, I have made appropriate decisions more than once. What measures are being taken and what plans are there? Today I would like to hear proposals for the development of hydropower,” Mirziyoyev noted.

The share of hydropower in total production is only 10-12%, which makes the development of the industry a key factor in the stability of the energy system and reducing dependence on gas and coal.

In 2017–2025, the number of hydroelectric power plants increased from 36 to 100, and their total capacity increased from 1.6 to 2.4 GW. It is planned to implement in 2026-203273 projects with a total cost of $5.8 billion and create additional capacity of 3.6 GW.

According to the press service of the head of state, the UzHydroPower plant, which is considered the only one in Central Asia for the production of hydraulic units and technological equipment, has been built.LaunchedLast year, the first stage of the Naryn HPP cascade was implemented for the first time on the basis of the “national project” model - all work was completely carried out by domestic enterprises.

In 2026, it is planned to commission 13 hydroelectric power plants with a total capacity of 114 MW with an annual output of 537 million kWh, as well as the creation of 254 jobs.

Among the major projects is the Verkhne-Pskemskaya hydroelectric power station worth $365 million. It is expected that the facility with a capacity of 160 MW and an annual production volume of 484 million kWh will provide electricity to more than 160 thousand households. The share of local components in the project will be 82%.

Additionally, a wind power plant with a capacity of 20 MW is being built in the Bostanlyk district using grants worth $28 million.

In the Sokh district of the Fergana region, based on the principle of a “national project,” they plan to build the Sokh hydroelectric power station. The 15 MW station will annually generate 50 million kWh of electricity and consistently cover 71% of the region’s electricity needs.

The President also reviewed the hydropower potential of the waterways of Upper Tupalang. Through the construction of 42 small hydroelectric power stations on rivers and streams flowing into the Tupalang reservoir, it is possible to create 541 MW of power and generate about 1.9 billion kWh of electricity per year.

In addition, the construction of three pumped storage power plants with a total capacity of 1.4 GW (energy storage and redistribution systems), as well as 2983small and micro hydroelectric power stationswith a total capacity of 164 MW.

In December 2024, Energy Minister Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudovstatedthat not using the potential of hydropower is a betrayal. The president said that “nobody believed” when he organized the construction of a small hydroelectric power station on the Ugam River.



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