President reviews ongoing hydropower projects and development plans

The total length of rivers, canals, and streams in Uzbekistan exceeds 150,000 kilometers. These water resources are of strategic importance not only for drinking water supply and irrigation, but also for energy generation, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

At present, the majority of electricity production relies on natural gas and coal, while the share of hydropower remains at approximately 10–12 percent. In this context, the development of hydropower plays a crucial role in ensuring the stability of the energy system, reducing dependence on fuel resources, and promoting the efficient use of water resources.

In recent years, the sector has achieved significant progress. The number of hydroelectric power plants has increased from 36 in 2017 to 100 by 2025, while total installed capacity has risen from 1.6 gigawatts to 2.4 gigawatts.

The UzHydroPower plant has been commissioned, becoming the only facility in Central Asia capable of producing hydro units and related technological equipment. The first stage of the Naryn cascade of hydroelectric power plants, launched last year, was carried out for the first time under a “national project” model, with all work completed entirely by domestic enterprises.

At the same time, it was noted that a significant portion of the country’s hydropower potential remains untapped. Given that electricity demand is increasing in line with population and economic growth, the need to fully harness the energy potential of every river, stream, and canal, as well as to accelerate the commissioning of new generating capacities, was highlighted.

At the presentation, plans for the implementation of 73 prospective projects, with a total value of $5.8 billion over the period from 2026 to 2032, were reviewed. As a result, an additional 3.6 gigawatts of generating capacity is expected to be added.

This year, 13 hydroelectric power plants and one wind power plant are to be commissioned. Their total capacity will amount to 114 megawatts, with annual electricity generation of 537 million kilowatt-hours. These projects are expected to create 254 jobs. Additionally, a 20-megawatt wind power plant is under construction in the Bostanlyk district, supported by $28 million in grant funding.

Among the major projects, the construction of the Upper Pskem hydroelectric power plant in the Bostanlyk district is of particular importance. With an investment of $365 million, the project will have a capacity of 160 megawatts and an annual output of 484 million kilowatt-hours, supplying electricity to 161,000 households. The share of local content in the project is expected to reach 82 percent.

In the Sokh district of the Fergana region, the Sokh hydroelectric power plant is to be constructed under a “national project” model. The 15-megawatt facility will generate 50 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and will help to reliably meet 71 percent of the district’s electricity demand.

The hydropower potential of the Upper Tupalang watercourses was also reviewed. The construction of 42 small hydroelectric power plants on the rivers and streams flowing into the Tupalang reservoir would make it possible to add 541 megawatts of capacity and generate about 1.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

It was noted that, in global practice, pumped-storage hydroelectric power plants are widely used for energy storage and redistribution. The possibility of constructing three such facilities in the country, with a total capacity of 1.4 gigawatts, is under consideration.

Plans were also reviewed for the construction of 2,983 small and micro hydroelectric power plants, with a total capacity of 164 megawatts.

The introduction of digitalization and artificial intelligence technologies was also identified as an important area for improving the sector’s efficiency. Digital monitoring systems are to be introduced gradually, enabling real-time tracking of water levels and volumes, pressure, meteorological data, and operational processes in reservoirs and hydraulic structures. At present, 3,500 monitoring and measuring devices have been installed to ensure the safety of reservoirs.

The Head of State gave specific instructions to relevant officials to ensure the timely and high-quality implementation of projects and to increase the level of localization in the hydropower sector.

The presentation also included information on efforts to improve the banks of rivers and canals in the capital, as well as on the creation of artificial lakes and reservoirs to create a cooler microclimate.

In particular, under the “Coastal Zone” project, 306 hectares of land are to be landscaped along a 16-kilometer stretch of the Chirchik River within the capital. The project provides for riverbank reinforcement, the development of green areas, and the placement of retail and service facilities. A green belt covering 187.3 hectares will be created along the Bektemir Canal, with recreational areas, pedestrian and bicycle paths, internal roads, lighting systems, and bridges.

A project to create four artificial lakes and reservoirs in the capital was also presented. The President noted that this would be insufficient to ensure a comfortable environment and a cooler microclimate, and instructed that the number be increased to 12.