Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on 31 October to discuss projects being implemented in the hydropower sector, as well as the tasks of preparing the energy system for the autumn-winter season.

Hydroelectric power plants are the most effective means of normalizing the daily energy balance. The cost of electricity obtained from hydroelectric power plants is significantly cheaper compared to other sources. Therefore, much attention is paid to the development of this area.

According to initial estimates, the hydropower potential of our country is 8 thousand megawatts. But now only 2.2 thousand megawatts are used. By attracting foreign investment and the private sector, by 2030 it is planned to increase the total capacity to 6 thousand megawatts.

Legal and economic conditions have been created for this. In particular, a 20-year land lease has been introduced for entrepreneurs wishing to organize small and micro hydroelectric power plants, as well as a system of guaranteed purchase of the electricity they produce by the state.

The meeting reviewed the current state of projects in the field.

It was noted that it is planned to build 20 small and micro hydroelectric power stations this year, and 38 in 2024, but the implementation of some projects is behind schedule. Regional khokims presented information on the upcoming launch of 20 stations planned for this year.

In addition, the Uzbekhydroenergo joint-stock company plans to commission 7 large hydroelectric power stations with a total capacity of 197 megawatts. Due to this, electricity generation will be increased to 7 billion kilowatt-hours.

According to the instructions of the head of state, specialists have studied additional reserves in the amount of 1 thousand megawatts. For example, by building cascades on the Naryn River, it is possible to launch a capacity of 230 megawatts and generate electricity sufficient for the needs of 450 thousand residents of the city of Namangan.

Next year, the capacity of solar and wind power plants will reach 3.5 thousand megawatts. Due to the fact that they produce electricity mainly during the daytime, the need for control capacity in the power system increases. Therefore, the head of state noted the need to develop a five-year program for the construction of stations with a capacity of 6 thousand megawatts, without waiting for 2030. The need to attract foreign energy companies to projects on the basis of private partnership was noted.

As you know, issues of preparation for the autumn-winter season are in the center of the President’s constant attention. The progress of the energy system readiness was also discussed at the meeting.

Over the past five years, more than 4 trillion soums have been allocated for the modernization of networks and transformers. This year, a large-scale program to modernize Tashkent’s energy infrastructure was launched.

In addition, a reserve of at least 10 billion soums is formed in each region to conduct the season without losses. These funds will be used to replace transformers, wiring and other spare parts in case of accidents.

In general, 33 thousand transformers and 122 thousand kilometers of electrical networks in the regions are outdated. There are especially many such cases in Tashkent, Namangan and Syrdarya regions. Over 9 months of this year, 12 percent of the total volume of electricity produced was lost.

In this regard, it was emphasized that it is necessary to update outdated transformers and networks in order to reduce electricity losses by 1-2 percent per year.

It is emphasized that more than 100 thousand wholesale consumers and 648 thousand new households are not connected to the automated electricity metering and control system. Appropriate instructions are given to fill these gaps.

It was noted that in some regions there are delays in the repair of boiler houses and heating networks. The state of preparation of social institutions for the autumn-winter season is unsatisfactory. The plan for updating boilers with high energy consumption has been completed by 62 percent in medical institutions, 54 percent in kindergartens and 40 percent in schools.

Responsible persons have been instructed to mobilize all forces and means to speed up repair and modernization work.

The issue of coal supplies for the needs of the population and social institutions in the autumn-winter period was also raised. In this regard, the importance of creating additional reserves and attracting the private sector was noted.

Strict instructions were given to prevent illegal sales at inflated prices and theft of coal supplied for the needs of the population.