Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan plans to modernize the main gas pipeline system to increase the volume of natural gas imports in the northern direction.

The Government of Uzbekistan adopted a resolution on measures to implement investment projects in the first quarter of 2024.

The resolution notes that Uztransgaz will implement the first stage of the program to modernize the main gas pipeline system to increase the volume of natural gas imports in the northern direction for 2024-2030.

The document states that the cost of the first stage of the program is US$500 million. In the first quarter of 2024, it is planned to use US$13.7 million. Of this, US$10.5 million are the own funds of Uztransgaz JSC and US$3.2 million are foreign direct investments.

As a result of modernization, Uzbekistan will be able to import up to 32 million cubic meters of gas per day from the northern direction.

Uzbekistan and Russia’s Gazprom signed a two-year contract for the supply of natural gas. Under the contract, Gazprom will supply 9 million cubic meters of gas per day, or about 2.8 billion cubic meters per year.

In October 2023, Gazprom began gas supplies to Uzbekistan through the territory of Kazakhstan. Uzbekistan buys gas from Russia to cover part of the deficit of blue fuel in the autumn-winter period.

At the same time, Uzbekistan is showing interest in increasing imports of natural gas from Russia and intends to develop cooperation in this area on a long-term basis.