Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the intention to increase gas supplies to Uzbekistan through the territory of Kazakhstan. He made this statement during a press conference following talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

According to the Russian president, gas transit from Russia to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan began in 2023. At that time, a permanent working group was established between the two countries to develop industrial cooperation in energy and other sectors. Putin emphasized that gas supplies will continue to increase, reflecting the steady development of energy cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan.

The Russian president also highlighted the importance of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, through which a significant portion of Kazakhstan’s oil is exported to global markets via Russian Black Sea infrastructure. At the same time, Russian oil transported through Kazakhstan is supplied to China.

In addition, Putin pointed to close cooperation in other areas of energy. Russia imports coal from Kazakhstan, and the countries conduct mutual electricity supplies. Plans are also in place to build two new thermal power plants in Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, Gazprom continues to ensure uninterrupted gas supplies to Kazakh consumers.

It is worth noting that in June 2023, Uzbekistan and Russia signed a two-year contract for the supply of Russian gas to Uzbekistan. The countries also agreed on a roadmap to prepare Uzbekistan’s gas transportation system for receiving and transporting Russian pipeline gas.

In October 2023, Russia began supplying natural gas to Uzbekistan through Kazakhstan. The supplies are organized in reverse mode along a specially designated route based on the "Central Asia — Center" main gas pipeline system.

Under the signed contract, Russia is to supply 2.8 billion cubic meters of gas annually to Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan is keen to increase gas supplies from Russia. During his visit to Tashkent in May 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced work on expanding the throughput capacity of the "Central Asia — Center" pipeline system, which will enable gas transport volumes to Uzbekistan to reach 11 billion cubic meters per year by 2025.

The first stage of a program to modernize the main gas pipeline system to increase gas import volumes to the north, from 2024 to 2030, was also announced. The project’s cost is $500 million. As a result of the modernization, daily gas supplies from Russia to Uzbekistan will increase from 9 million to 32 million cubic meters.