Uzbekistan introduces licensing for electric power industry activities

The document published on the Lex.uz portal outlines that a license will be required for the following activities:

•  Electricity generation;
•  Electricity transmission;
•  Electricity distribution;
•  Energy storage;
•  Power supply;
•  Centralized energy procurement;
•  Wholesale energy sales;
•  Operation of the electricity market.

Each activity requires a separate license. The Agency for the Development and Regulation of the Energy Market, established as part of the energy sector reform plan from September 2023, will handle the issuance of these licenses.

However, a license will not be required for electricity generation and storage without connection to the national grid, for power plants with a capacity of less than 5 MW, or for energy storage intended for personal use.

To apply for a license, an application must be submitted through the “License” system, the Unified Portal of Interactive Public Services, or at the Public Services Center. The application must include documentation such as the energy facility’s passport, a business plan, and any other required documents.

The application will be reviewed within 15 business days, after which the regulator will make a decision on whether to grant or deny the license. The applicant will receive a notification (including a receipt for the state duty payment if the license is granted) through their personal account.

The fee for processing the application, regardless of the license type, will be 2 BCU (750,000 UZS). The fee for issuing the license will be 30 BCU (11.25 million UZS).

Additionally, companies will be required to pay an annual licensing fee, which will be calculated based on the estimated volume of electricity produced or supplied, as well as the rate per kWh for the specific type of activity.

The decree will come into effect on May 14, 2025, three months after its approval.