The course of projects in the field of hydropower and the state of preparation for the autumn-winter season are considered

On October 31, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting to discuss projects 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 received at the HPP is much cheaper compared to other sources. Therefore, much attention is paid to the development of this direction.

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, it is planned to increase the total capacity to 6 thousand megawatts by 2030.

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

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

It was noted that 20 small and micro hydropower plants are planned to be built this year, 38 in 2024, but the implementation of some projects has fallen out of schedule. The khokims of the regions presented information about the upcoming launch of 20 stations planned for the current year.

In addition, Uzbekhydroenergo Joint Stock Company plans to commission 7 large hydroelectric power plants with a total capacity of 197 megawatts. Due to this, electricity generation will be brought to 7 billion kilowatt-hours.

According to the instruction 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 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, there is an increasing need for regulating capacities in the power system. 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 necessity of attracting foreign energy companies to projects on the basis of private partnership was noted.

As you know, the issues of preparation for the autumn-winter season are in the focus of the President's constant attention. The meeting also discussed the progress of the readiness of the power system.

Over the past five years, more than 4 trillion soums have been allocated for the modernization of networks and transformers. A large-scale program of modernization of Tashkent's energy infrastructure has been launched this year.

In addition, a reserve of at least 10 billion soums is being formed in each region for a loss-free season. 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 have become obsolete in the regions. There are especially many such cases in the Tashkent, Namangan and Syrdarya regions. For 9 months of the current year, 12 percent of the total volume of electricity produced was lost.

In this regard, it was stressed that it is necessary to upgrade 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 system of electricity metering and control. Appropriate instructions are given to eliminate these gaps.

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

Responsible persons are instructed to mobilize all forces and means to accelerate 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 touched upon. In this regard, the importance of creating additional reserves and attracting the private sector was noted.

Strict instructions have been given to prevent illegal sale at inflated prices and theft of coal supplied for the needs of the population.