On April 29, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was briefed on measures for the further development of the hydropower sector.
At present, the majority of electricity production relies on natural gas and coal, while the share of hydropower remains at approximately 10–12 percent. In this context, the development of hydropower plays a crucial role in ensuring the stability of the energy system.
In recent years, the sector has achieved significant progress. The number of hydroelectric power plants has increased from 36 in 2017 to 100 by 2025, while total installed capacity has risen from 1.6 gigawatts to 2.4 gigawatts.
The UzHydroPower plant has been commissioned, becoming the only facility in Central Asia capable of producing hydro units and related technological equipment.
At the same time, a significant portion of the country’s hydropower potential remains untapped. Given that electricity demand is increasing along with population and economic growth, the need to fully harness the energy potential of every river, stream, and canal, as well as to accelerate the commissioning of new generating capacities, was highlighted.
The meeting reviewed plans for the implementation of 73 projects with a total value of $5.8 billion over the period from 2026 to 2032. As a result, an additional 3.6 gigawatts of generating capacity is expected to be added.
This year, 13 hydroelectric power plants and one wind power plant are to be commissioned. Their total capacity will amount to 114 megawatts, with annual electricity generation of 537 million kilowatt-hours. Additionally, a 20-megawatt wind power plant is under construction in the Bostanlyk district.
Among the major projects, the construction of the Upper Pskem hydroelectric power plant in the Bostanlyk district is of particular importance. With an investment of $365 million, the project will have a capacity of 160 megawatts and an annual output of 484 million kilowatt-hours, supplying electricity to 161,000 households.
In the Sokh district of the Fergana region, the Sokh hydroelectric power plant is to be constructed under a “national project” model. The 15-megawatt facility will generate 50 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and will help to reliably meet 71 percent of the district’s electricity demand.
The hydropower potential of the Upper Tupalang watercourses was also reviewed. The construction of 42 small hydroelectric power plants on the rivers and streams flowing into the Tupalang reservoir would make it possible to add 541 megawatts of capacity and generate about 1.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
Plans were also reviewed for the construction of 2,983 small and micro hydroelectric power plants, with a total capacity of 164 megawatts.
