Uzbekistan plans to increase the share of renewable energy sources in electricity generation to 40% by 2030

Today, many countries are fundamentally rethinking their policies, shifting from the traditional model—where environmental protection was considered a burden on economic growth—to one in which it is regarded as a driver of sustainable ecological development, a green alternative.

According to available data, 34 billion tons of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere annually, while total greenhouse gas emissions amount to 41 billion tons. These figures have increased by a factor of 3.8 compared to the 1950s. Moreover, the limited and declining availability of hydrocarbon energy resources has made the development of alternative energy sources an increasingly urgent and relevant issue.

In this context, the global deployment of renewable energy sources (RES) is rapidly accelerating. The total installed capacity of RES-based systems reached 3,372 gigawatts in 2022 and increased to 3,700 gigawatts in 2023. Specifically, hydropower capacity grew by 21 GW, wind energy by 75 GW, solar energy by 191 GW, bioenergy by 7.6 GW, and geothermal energy by 181 MW.

By the end of 2024, the global RES capacity had reached 4,600 GW. Notably, China achieved record results in this sector, increasing its solar energy capacity by 18 percent and wind energy capacity by 45 percent within a single year.

Currently, as global energy demand continues to grow, many developed countries—including the United States, Japan, China, the United Kingdom, and several European nations—are facing energy shortages.

Uzbekistan currently produces 81 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Considering the rapid pace of economic growth (with GDP rising by an average of 5–6 percent) and the annual population increase of 700,000–800,000 people, the demand for energy resources is also growing proportionately. According to projections, by 2030, Uzbekistan’s energy demand is expected to reach at least 125–130 billion kilowatt-hours per year.

Against this backdrop, Uzbekistan is implementing a series of consistent and phased reforms in state and public administration, aimed at accelerating the transition to a green economy and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The development of renewable energy sources occupies a central role in Uzbekistan’s energy strategy. The country possesses substantial natural resources, which provides a strong basis for the large-scale adoption of RES. A comprehensive legal framework has been established in this field; notably, the Law “On the Use of Renewable Energy Sources” was adopted in 2019, alongside key presidential decrees and resolutions.

As a result of systematic efforts, by 2024, the total RES capacity in Uzbekistan had reached 4,500 MW, with renewables accounting for 16 percent of the overall energy sector. In 2023 alone, the use of renewable energy sources saved nearly one billion cubic meters of natural gas and prevented the release of approximately 1.4 million tons of greenhouse gases.

According to the "Uzbekistan – 2030" Strategy, the country aims to increase the share of RES to 40 percent of total electricity production by 2030. To achieve this goal and ensure energy security, the following measures are necessary:

• Further diversification of the energy sector;

• Implementation of advanced forms of alternative energy, including the wide-scale adoption of efficient and environmentally friendly hydrogen fuel (notably, hydrogen combustion generates only clean water vapor and offers a higher energy density compared to fossil fuels; burning one ton of hydrogen produces as much heat as 3.5 tons of organic fuel);

• Transition of specific facilities to autonomous (localized) power supply systems, given that transmission losses over long distances average around 18 percent;

• Broad localization of solar panel and wind turbine production;

• Accelerated advancement of research and development aimed at improving the efficiency of renewable energy technologies;

• Large-scale installation of solar collectors (vacuum collectors being most suitable for Uzbekistan’s climate) for heating and hot water supply;

• Comprehensive inventory and modernization of high-energy-consuming technologies, as energy consumption per product unit in Uzbekistan is currently two to three times higher than in developed countries;

• Enhancement of technologies for the use of landfill gas derived from waste;

• Promotion of a culture of responsible electricity and thermal energy consumption among the population.

It is essential to cultivate public trust in the outcomes of reforms within the energy sector. Simultaneously, fostering a culture of responsible and efficient use of limited natural resources at both the societal and governmental levels is of critical importance.

Finally, it must be recognized that wasted energy inevitably contributes to shortages elsewhere.

Bory Alikhanov
Narimon Umarov

1. Members of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan