Uzbekistan will accelerate the development of small and micro-HPPs: by 2030, their total capacity is planned to reach 204.8 MW, and annual generation — up to 620 million kWh. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed to more actively attract private investors and simplify project implementation.
Within the framework of the current program, the construction of about 3,000 stations with a total capacity of 164 MW is envisaged. Currently, 64 facilities with a capacity of 41.6 MW are operating, but investors have been identified for only 932 projects.
To increase business interest, auctions are planned to set not only the starting price of the project but also a minimum electricity tariff. For micro-HPPs with a capacity of up to 100 kW, construction procedures are planned to be simplified, and for facilities up to 50 kW, a number of expert examinations and construction supervision are to be canceled.
Special attention will be paid to canals: the length of the country's rivers and canals exceeds 173 thousand km, so the authorities intend to inventory them and find new sites for hydropower.
By 2030, new capacities should provide electricity to 350,000 households, reduce annual natural gas consumption by 187 million cubic meters, and prevent emissions of 311 thousand tons of CO₂. At the same time, about 90% of equipment for small HPPs is still imported, so the authorities expect to establish its production within the country.