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Uzbekistan to introduce new support mechanisms for small and micro hydropower plants
New conditions will be created in Uzbekistan for developing a network of small and micro power plants, including a digital platform for searching for and monitoring projects. The relevant measures are set out in Resolution of the President of Uzbekistan No. 298 of August 19, 2026, «On Additional Measures for the Development of a Network of Small and Micro Power Plants in the Country».
By February 1, 2027, a digital platform is to be developed for identifying potential small and micro hydropower plant projects, as well as for coordinating and monitoring their implementation and operation.
The document also provides for the development of a procedure for implementing small and micro hydropower plant projects with private sector participation. It is meant to establish uniform rules for such projects. In addition, methodological guidelines will be prepared for the design, construction, commissioning and operation of power plants, with environmental and social requirements to be taken into account without fail.
To identify initiators of small and micro hydropower plant projects with a capacity of up to 5 MW, a mechanism for holding electronic auctions to purchase the electricity produced will be introduced on the E-auksion electronic trading platform. Both a starting price and a minimum price will be set within the auctions.
For micro hydropower plants with a capacity of up to 500 kW, the starting price will be 150% of the tariff set for Group II consumers, and the minimum price — 50%. For small hydropower plants with a capacity from 500 kW to 2 MW, these figures will be 120% and 40% respectively. For plants with a capacity from 2 to 5 MW, the starting price will be set at 100% of the relevant tariff, and the minimum price at 30%.
Certain simplifications are envisaged for micro hydropower plant projects with a capacity of up to 100 kW, including their design and construction. Such facilities will be classified as Category II of complexity under the construction facility classification, taking risk levels into account.
Micro hydropower plants with a capacity of up to 50 kW and structures with a volume of no more than 300 cubic meters will be exempt from urban planning documentation review and state architectural and construction oversight.
Project initiators will also be allowed to carry out construction work in stages based on the electrical section of the construction project.
The measures will also affect the training of specialists for small hydropower. Starting from the 2026/2027 academic year, higher education institutions plan to introduce a dual system for training qualified personnel in small-capacity «green» energy fields, including small hydropower.
