According to estimates of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the economy of Uzbekistan annually loses $6 billion due to the shortage of electricity. This was announced by Deputy Energy Minister of the Republic Sherzod Khadjayev.

“The specialists of the Asian Development Bank, working together with us, stated that due to the shortage of electricity, Uzbekistan’s economy loses about $6 billion annually,” Khadjayev noted.

In March, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree on a strategy for further development and reform of the electricity sector in Uzbekistan. According to the Deputy Energy Minister, the implementation of the strategy will make it possible to generate and transmit as much electricity as the economic sectors require.

“In addition, the program is aimed not only at increasing the total amount of generated electrical energy, but also at covering peak loads, that is, it implies a certain margin of safety. Now, unfortunately, we do not have this safety margin,” the Deputy Minister stated.

The Ministry of Energy notes that in 10 years, there should be at least 20% of additional generating capacity in the country to cover peak loads.

“I can say with confidence that the people will feel the effects for sure. Power outages will be dramatically reduced. We will try to reduce them to zero,” promised Khadjayev.