Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan intends to develop gas cooperation with Russia in the long term. This was stated by the Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan, Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, at the St. Petersburg International Gas Forum on 1 November.

The minister noted that every year the population of Uzbekistan grows by almost 1 million people, and the economy grows by almost 6%. The growth in energy consumption is at least 10-15%, he noted.

According to him, over the past six years, electricity consumption in Uzbekistan has increased by 40%. He added that the Government expects the same growth until 2030.

Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov recalled that Uzbekistan is a gas-producing country. He added that previously Uzbekistan was a net exporter of gas, but in the current conditions, the country has become an importer of gas to provide the economy and population with natural gas.

The minister noted that Uzbekistan began importing gas from Turkmenistan. He recalled that from 7 October, Uzbekistan also began importing gas from Russia thanks to the political will of the leaderships of the two countries.

“We intend not to stop there. We intend to develop this cooperation for the long term,” said Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov.

Uzbekistan has ambitious plans to introduce renewable energy, he noted. The minister emphasized that the country plans to increase the share of solar and wind energy in the overall balance, as well as create new electricity storage systems. Uzbekistan is also developing hydropower. Despite this, as the minister noted, Uzbekistan will not give up gas.

Currently, 75% of electricity generation in Uzbekistan comes from gas, the minister said.

Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov noted that Uzbekistan will reduce the share of gas in the generation structure, but taking into account the growth in electricity consumption, the total capacity will remain the same.

Uzbekistan, along with the launch of new generating capacities in the field of renewable energy sources, is also introducing new generating capacities for gas, the Minister said.

He noted that in 2023, Uzbekistan will commission 1.5 GW of new combined cycle gas plant with the participation of private investment. He said that Uzbekistan will soon sign contracts with companies from Türkiye to create new generating capacities. French companies began building new stations.

“That is, while maintaining the level of natural gas consumption in the overall generation, we plan to almost double electricity generation through gas generation. That is, we need natural gas, and we will work in this direction,” the Minister emphasized.

Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov said that Uzbekistan will develop the gas chemical sector. He recalled that several gas chemical enterprises operate in Uzbekistan. According to him, the country intends to increase deep gas processing in the gas chemical sector by at least 2-3 times, the head of the Ministry of Energy noted. “Therefore, regarding gas, we are aimed at long-term cooperation,” he noted.