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Uzbekistan had a total primary energy supply (TPES) of 48.28 Mtoe in 2012.^[1] Electricity consumption was 47.80 TWh. The majority of primary energy came from fossil fuels, with natural gas, coal and oil the main sources. Hydroelectricity, the only significant renewable source in the country, accounted for about 2% of the primary energy supply. Natural gas is the source for 73.8% of electricity production, followed by hydroelectricity with 21.4%.^[1]

Uzbekistan will be the first country in Central Asia to develop and produce solar energy by Uzbekenergo a state owned energy company. The Samarkand region was picked along with six other regions being inspected. The solar power plant is to have a capacity of 100 megawatts.^[2]^[3]

Energy sources

In 2022, natural gas remained the primary energy source in Uzbekistan, contributing 85% to the total energy supply and electricity generation, with a consumption of 1.552 BTU qn. The government plans to cease natural gas exports by 2025 to focus on domestic energy and petrochemical production needs, aiming for greater industrial development and energy self-sufficiency. ^[4]^[5]

Natural gas production from 2011 to 2021 (**bcm**)^[6]^: 29
2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
56.6	56.5	55.9	56.3	53.6	53.1	53.6	58.3	57.5	47.1	50.9

Uzbekistan is also diversifying its energy mix by investing in renewable sources like solar and wind energy, driven by favorable investment conditions and technological advancements. This shift aims to reduce reliance on natural gas and promote environmental sustainability. The consumption from renewables and other sources was 0.030 BTU qn in 2022, reflecting this growing focus. ^[5]

Oil from 2011 to 2021 (**kbd**)^[6]^{: 16, 19, 25, 26}
	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Oil Production	80	72	69	63	60	57	61	64	61	67	60
Total liquids consumption	104	88	83	82	83	86	87	95	95	83	90
Refinery throughput	164	156	146	136	127	118	125	117	122	118	113
Refining capacity	232	232	232	232	232	232	232	232	232	232	232

Moreover, the country is enhancing its oil sector by upgrading refining capacities and petrochemical production, with petroleum and other liquids consumption at 0.170 BTU qn in 2022.^[5] One of the most important types of transformation for the energy system is the refining of crude oil into oil products, such as the fuels that power automobiles, ships, and planes. In 2021, the share of domestic refining in the total final consumption of oil products was 97% with a total of 158,203 Terajoules (TJ) of oil products refined, indicating an upward trend of 48%.^[7]

Electricity Sector

Electricity generation in 2021^[8]

Natural Gas (86.89%)

Hydro (6.87%)

Coal (2.91%)

Oil (1.94%)

Electricity production is a critical aspect of Uzbekistan's energy landscape. The country primarily relies on thermal power plants that convert heat from burning fuels or nuclear reactions into electricity, although this process can be inefficient, with up to fifty percent of the energy content lost. In contrast, renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower generate electricity more directly and efficiently by harnessing natural forces. As of 2021, natural gas stands out as the predominant source of electricity generation in Uzbekistan, contributing to 88% of the overall electricity output. This significant dependency on natural gas underscores its vital role in the nation's energy strategy.^[9]

Recognizing the need for diversification and sustainability, Uzbekistan set ambitious renewable energy targets in January 2024. The plan includes achieving a renewable energy capacity of 27 GW and increasing the renewable share in electricity production to 40% by 2030. This initiative, endorsed by the Uzbek Senate, aims to reduce natural gas consumption by 25 billion cubic meters and decrease carbon emissions by 34 million tonnes.^[10]

Renewable energy

The proportion of renewable energy in Uzbekistan's total energy supply (TES) has remained stable yet low since the 1990s. In the realm of electricity generation, the share of renewable energy (RE) varies due to the country's fluctuating hydrological conditions, which directly affect hydropower production.

Total renewable energy capacity, 2014-2023 (MW)^[11]^: 3
2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
1,872	1,882	1,883	1,861	1,919	1,912	2,025	2,156	2,478	2,668

Hydropower capacity, 2014-2023 (MW)^[11]^: 6
2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
1,871	1,880	1,880	1,858	1,915	1,908	2,021	2,152	2,225 u	2,415 u

Between 2000 and 2019, this share oscillated between 8% and 19% of total electricity generation, with an average of around 12%. The dominance of hydropower within the renewable energy sector leads to similar patterns in both the total energy supply and the total final consumption (TFC) of renewable energy.^[12]^: 96

List of power stations

Power plant	Province	Capacity (MW)	Type	Year completed	Notes
Syrdarya Power Plant	Tashkent	3,050	Natural Gas	1972
Yangi Angren	Tashkent	2,100	Hybrid	1985
Tashkent	Tashkent	2,230	Natural Gas	1963
Navoi	Navoi	1,618	Natural Gas	1963
Talimardjan	Kashkadarya	1,700	Natural Gas	2004
Takhiatash		730	Natural Gas	1962
Fergana	Fergana	305	Natural Gas
Turaqurgon	Namangan	900	Natural Gas
Angren	Tashkent	634	Coal	1957
Tuyamuyun	Xorezm	150	Hydro	1983
Charvak	Tashkent	666	Hydro	1970
Topolon	Surkhandarya	175	Hydro
Andijan	Andijan	190	Hydro	1983
Farkhod	Syrdarya	126	Hydro	1948
Qamchiq	Namangan	26.5	Hydro
Hojakent	Tashkent	165	Hydro	1975
Gazalkent	Tashkent	120	Hydro	1980
Hishrav	Samarkand		Hydro
Tuyabogiz	Tashkent	11.4	Hydro	2019
Lower Bozsu HPP-14	Tashkent	15	Hydro	1944/2022
Lower Bozsu HPP-18	Tashkent	7	Hydro	1950
Lower Bozsu HPP-19	Tashkent	11.2	Hydro	1950
Zarchob-2	Surkhandarya	38.2	Hydro	2021	^[13]
Zarchob-1	Surkhandarya	37.4	Hydro	2021	^[14]
Lower Bozsu HPP-23	Tashkent	17.6	Hydro	1954
Lower Bozsu HPP-22	Tashkent	4.4	Hydro	1954
Nur Navoi Solar park	Navoi	100	Solar	2021	^[15]
Nurabad Solar park	Samarkand	100	Solar	2022	^[16]

Government policy

In Uzbekistan, the governance of the energy sector is overseen by key governmental bodies, primarily the Ministry of Energy which was established in February 2019. This ministry is responsible for the implementation of state policies, regulations, and decrees across various energy subsectors including electricity, natural gas, and oil. Notably, significant reforms have been initiated since 2019 to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the energy sector. These include legislative revisions and the development of strategic documents like the Green Economy Transition Strategy for 2019-2030 and the Electricity Supply Security Concept for 2020-2030, aimed at increasing the share of renewable energy and improving energy efficiency in line with Uzbekistan's commitments under the Paris Agreement. Additionally, the Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction plays a crucial role in analyzing economic indicators and formulating strategies for the industrial development of the energy sector, indicating a comprehensive approach to achieving sustainable energy goals.^[12]^: 25–28

Building on a strong foundation laid since its independence, Uzbekistan has actively pursued energy independence, achieving significant milestones by the mid-1990s through strategic governmental support and investment in the energy sector. Noteworthy developments include the operational commencement of major facilities such as the Kokdumalak petroleum condensate field and the Bukhara Oil Refinery. By 2003, extensive rural gasification efforts led to 86.3% of the rural population gaining access to natural gas, with initiatives set to expand fuel access even further by 2006. These efforts underscore Uzbekistan's commitment to securing a sustainable and economically viable energy landscape, focusing on natural gas as a cornerstone for future development.^[17]