China to allot Uzbekistan $25 million soft loan for construction of hydroelectric power plants

Uzbekistan plans to build two new small hydroelectric power stations on the Dargom Canal in the Samarkand region at the expense of China's soft loans, Kun.uz correspondent reports with reference to a government decree of April 8.

The aim of the project is to consistently increase the use of renewable energy sources, increase the balance of energy resources and ensure the complete satisfaction of the needs of economic industries and the population of the country for electricity.

New facilities – the Shaudarya small hydroelectric power station and the Small hydroelectric power station on picket 135+50 will be built with concessional loans from the Ministry of Commerce of China. The total cost of projects will exceed $30 million. Construction of hydropower plants is scheduled for completion at the end of 2021.

Chinese Eximbank will allocate $25 million (24.8) for their implementation, and JSC Uzbekgidroenergo – $5.8 million.

After the launch, the capacity of the Shaudarya small hydropower plant will be 7.2 MW, and the Small HPP on picket 135+50 – 7.4 MW. Each year, the first station will produce 37.8 million kW/h energy, and the second – 34.3 million kW/h.

Now Uzbekistan’s need for electricity is 69 billion kW/h, and about 64 billion kW/h are produced. Nearly 86% of the energy comes from burning gas and coal, and 14% – from hydroelectric power plants.