The decree was adopted for further developing proposals on holding research and experimental-industrial developments, practical use of alternative sources of energy in Uzbekistan, organization of production of modern equipment and technologies in this sector.

The decree said that developed and developing states are speeding up practical use of alternative sources of energy as important factor for sustainable development and competitiveness of economy.

It said that Uzbekistan accrued significant experience on studying use of alternative energy, first of all, solar energy. Uzbekistan has scientific experimental center “Sun Physics” of Uzbekistan Science Academy. Studies of the center were acknowledged globally.

The document said that Uzbekistan created scientific-experimental and material-technical base for deepening development and practical use of solar and biogas energy.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov entrusted Cabinet of Ministers in cooperation of Uzbekistan Science Academy and interested sides to adopt measures on further deepening studies on use of solar and biogas energy.

The document said that special attention should be paid to development and implementation of pilot projects on production of electricity from alternative sources, organization production of equipment, spare parts and materials, as well as organization of maintenance services in Uzbekistan.

Uzbek leader approved proposal of the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Finance, Uzbekistan Science Academy, Uzbekenergo on creation of International Solar Energy Institute in Tashkent with participation of the Asian Development Bank and other international financial institutions on the base of scientific experimental center “Sun Physics”.

The main goal and tasks of the International Solar Energy Institute are:

To carry out high-technologic developments in industrial use of solar energy; To prepare proposals on practical use of potential of solar energy in various sectors of economy and social sector based on advanced and economically efficient technologies; To conduct research, related with use of solar energy in various sectors of economy, including technologies on synthesis of special materials and thermal processing; To coordinate work on development of documentation on large projects in solar energy sector.

According to the decree, Uzbekenergo and Suntech Power Co. (China) reached an agreement on creation of joint venture on production of photoelectric panels with the capacity of 100 megawatt at the fee industrial and economic zone Navoi based on modern technologies.

Uzbekenergo in cooperation with interested ministries and departments should develop and submit for approval to the Government a business plan and necessary documentation for implementation of the project on construction of the plant on production of photoelectric panels. The first line with the capacity of 50 megawatt will be launched in October 2013 and the plant will reach its designed capacity in 2015.

Islam Karimov also approved a proposal of the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Finance of Uzbekistan, Uzbekenergo on implementation of the project on construction of solar photoelectric station with the capacity of 100 megawatt in Samarkand region.

Uzbekenergo was entrusted to develop and submit for approval of a feasibility study and tender documentation. The document said that the project will be financed due to preferential loan of the Asian Development Bank and resources of the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan.

Samarkand regional administration was entrusted to allocate land to Uzbekenergo till 1 July 2013 for construction of the solar power station.

Uzbek President entrusted Government and state bodies develop and approve a list of experimental and pilot projects on use of solar and biogas energy with attraction of the resources of the ADB and other international financial institutions.

President Islam Karimov also entrusted Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Economy in cooperation with international experts to submit proposals on stimulation of production and use of solar and biogas energy, provide them tax and customs preferences based on foreign experience within a two month term.

President also entrusted to organize an international conference on introduction of alternative sources of energy in Tashkent in 2013. The conference will be attended by representatives of international financial institutions, foreign research centers, technological equipment producers, scholars and others.

The decree said that Ministry of Economy, Uzbekistan Science Academy, Uzbekenergo and interested ministries and departments should submit to the government a draft law “On alternative sources of energy” in the first half of 2013.