Agency for Renewable Energy to be established in Uzbekistan

On February 26, a roundtable was held at the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Engineers of Agricultural Mechanization dedicated to the issues of “introducing biogas units in Uzbekistan and development of domestic production”.

This roundtable, organized by the Ministry of Innovative Development of Uzbekistan, was attended by industrial scientists, businessmen supplying biogas units, as well as representatives of mass media.

Participants discussed the importance of biogas fuel, its production technologies, world experience in this field and issues of biogas production in Uzbekistan.

As noted, natural gas is not an infinite source. Presumably, Uzbekistan's natural gas resources will be enough for 40-45 years with its current consumption level. Therefore, it is important to find alternative sources of fuel for natural gas and electricity sources by scientists. Biogas is an alternative fuel to natural gas – relatively cheap ecological fuel can be derived from livestock, poultry solid, household and liquid wastes, including residues of plants, water and other sources.

“It is no secret that many of our large land areas in the country are degraded, farmers know it well. However, every year, tons of saltpeter is added to the soil, as there is a target for harvesting. If the farmer is able to use biogas and bio-fertilizer, we will be able to cut both fuel and fertilizer costs and improve the quality of land,” a teacher at the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers Shavkat Imomov said.

When introducing biogas technology it is necessary to increase the knowledge of users. Also, upon introduction of biogas technologies, farmers and entrepreneurs, who implement it, should be given some benefits by the Government of Uzbekistan. In short, biogas is the future,” the expert said.

At the roundtable, the head of the department for development of the energy sector at the Ministry of Innovative Development Sanjar Berdiyev also expressed his opinions. Berdiyev said that it is planned to establish a single authorized body - the Agency for Renewable Energy - to expand the production of biogas, in general, renewable energy sources in Uzbekistan and ensure quality control of the technologies used in this process.

This agency will be engaged in producing renewable energy sources and introducing it to the consumption in the country. Currently, the ministry and related organizations are dealing with issues that need to be addressed, a representative of the ministry said.