Gov’t mandates solar panels and energy-efficient heating in new buildings

From June 1, 2025, new regulations aimed at improving the energy efficiency of buildings will come into force in Uzbekistan. These measures are part of the presidential decree issued on March 11, which outlines comprehensive reforms in the heating supply sector.

According to the decree, all construction and renovation projects must incorporate renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, and alternative heating systems, including solar collectors and heat pumps. Additionally, energy-saving equipment must be installed as a mandatory requirement.

This regulation applies to all buildings, regardless of their financing sources, including budgetary funds, international financial institutions, public-private partnerships, and private investments.

The Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services has been tasked with ensuring that buildings comply with these requirements before granting operational permits. This includes verifying the installation of necessary equipment and ensuring that external and roof sections are covered with heat-insulating materials.

All projects involving the construction, modernization, and reconstruction of centralized heating systems will be required to adopt a closed-loop heating system.

Additionally, the construction of internal heating and hot water distribution systems in multi-apartment buildings, as well as the full installation of meters in buildings and networks, will be mandatory.

Each year, at least 10% of the funds allocated for heating supply development under the national social and industrial infrastructure program will be directed toward installing energy-saving equipment.

All social sector institutions undergoing construction or modernization must include energy-efficient facilities with continuous hot water supply. These include sanitary and hygiene facilities, handwashing stations, and shower rooms in sports halls, designed for convenient technical use.

The capacity of heating boiler houses will be determined to cover all multi-apartment buildings, social institutions, administrative buildings, industrial sites, and private sector establishments in the respective areas.

In regions with an existing centralized heating system, newly constructed multi-apartment buildings, administrative facilities, social sector institutions, industrial sites, and business entities must be connected to the heating networks.

The heating supply system, which includes 23 heating companies under the "Issiqlik Ta’minoti" (Heating Supply) organization, will have its tariffs regulated by the Interdepartmental Tariff Commission.

Furthermore, heating supply enterprises will be prohibited from auctioning their boiler houses as unused assets without approval from "Issiqlik Ta’minoti."

The Ministry of Economy and Finance has been instructed to promptly align social institutions with the new requirements, engage international experts, and develop financing mechanisms for energy-efficient projects.

Additionally, international financial institutions’ grants and loans will be actively attracted for the modernization of the heating supply network.

As part of Uzbekistan’s energy transition, the government plans to equip 250,000 facilities, including 150,000 homes, with solar panels in 2025.

Moreover, 135,000 newly built apartments will be connected to the centralized heating system, and electric stoves will be installed in kitchens.