Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  Businesses in Uzbekistan are now facing penalties for the wasteful use of energy resources.

In an effort to combat inefficient consumption of electricity and other resources, a meeting was held on 30 November, led by Deputy Prosecutor General Shokhrukh Aminov and a representative of the Presidential Administration. The discussion focused on measures to prevent energy wastage across the regions of the country.

Participants included prosecutors from Karakalpakstan, the regions, and Tashkent, as well as representatives from the Ministries of Energy, Justice, Internal Affairs, Emergency Situations, the State Tax Committee, and other agencies.

The meeting highlighted insufficient oversight by responsible authorities in organizing preventive measures to encourage energy conservation among consumers. It was decided to develop and distribute informational materials on the legal consequences of irrational energy use, intensify awareness campaigns in the regions, and implement measures to restrict the use of outdoor advertising and lighting during daylight hours in commercial and service establishments. The necessity of preventing the use of homemade heating devices was also emphasized.

On 30 November, an inspection was carried out in Tashkent’s Mirabad district to curb energy waste. Violations were identified on central streets and in commercial establishments, resulting in 10 administrative protocols being issued to legal entities that unjustifiably used electricity for lighting and advertising.

The following day, on 1 December, a similar inspection was conducted in the capital’s Yakkasaray district, where further cases of improper electricity use for lighting premises and advertising structures were discovered. Administrative protocols were drawn up against violators, accompanied by explanatory work on the importance of rational energy use.

Special attention is being given to preventing unnecessary electricity consumption during daylight hours. For instance, in the Chilanzar district, a working group led by the General Prosecutor’s Office and Uzenergoinspektsiya inspected lighting usage in a shopping complex on Mukimi Street. Violators were fined, and those who refused to comply with documentation requirements were disconnected from the power grid.

In the Yunusabad district, inspections focused on the lighting of apartment building entrances, with residents being educated on the importance of energy conservation during the winter season. Since the beginning of the year, 2,356 cases of irrational energy consumption have been identified, including daylight illumination. Administrative protocols were issued for 442 cases, and five enterprises were fined.

These efforts have prevented the wasteful consumption of 314.2 kWh of electricity. Over the past two days, 264 instances of unjustified daylight illumination have been recorded in Tashkent.

It is worth noting that in August, a law was enacted on “Energy Savings, Rational Use, and Improving Energy Efficiency.” This law also establishes liability for violations in this area. According to the law, fines for non-essential use of electricity for lighting during daylight hours without production necessity amount to 50% of the electricity cost.