President Mirziyoyev calls for immediate action to cut energy waste in all sectors

On February 19, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals on enhancing energy efficiency.

The country is steadily increasing its energy capacity to meet the growing demands of the population and various sectors of the economy. For instance, last year, Uzbekistan produced 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas and 81 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity.

Projections indicate that by 2035, electricity consumption will increase by 1.7 times compared to current levels. Meeting this demand will require not only ramping up production but also implementing efficient energy-saving measures.

Analysis reveals that Uzbekistan consumes 2.5 times more energy than the global average to generate $1 of GDP. Additionally, electricity transmission losses stand at 14%, while natural gas losses exceed 7%.

To address this, researchers are being engaged to scientifically explore energy-saving opportunities across various regions. So far, studies in seven provinces have identified potential savings of 4.6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and 1 billion cubic meters of natural gas.

During the presentation, proposals based on these studies were discussed.

For example, replacing outdated pumps in the water management sector with modern ones could save 1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Upgrading boilers in social institutions and utilizing "green" energy could conserve 5 million cubic meters of gas and 15 million kilowatt-hours of electricity this year.

Overall, the plan for 2023 aims to save 1.6 billion cubic meters of gas and 3.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. To achieve this, each enterprise and organization will be provided with scientifically grounded measures.

For instance, energy consumption standards will be established for producing a single unit of product in large industrial enterprises, reducing energy use by 5–10%. Additionally, a targeted program will be implemented to install energy-efficient equipment in social facilities.

In multi-story residential buildings, thermal insulation will be expanded to retain heat more effectively. Homeowners will be offered low-interest loans to install solar panels and solar collectors. Consumers will also be educated on energy-saving practices, following the example of Japan.

The president emphasized the importance of energy efficiency across all sectors of the economy, social services, and housing. He issued strict directives to reduce energy waste, prevent mismanagement, and curb losses across regions and sectors.