On August 1, a press conference was held at the Agency for Information and Mass Communications with participation of representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Energy, JSC Uztransgaz and Uzbekenergo.
The main theme of the event, as expected, was the increase in energy prices. Kun.uz correspondent asked: “Why are prices rising disproportionately, for example, gas tariffs rise more than electricity tariffs? But, as you know, the most consumable raw material for the production of electric energy is gas. Will such an increase in prices lead to an increase in the debt of Uzbekenergo to Uztransgaz? According to our information, Uzbekenergo, which until recently was in profit, now owes 1 trillion soums to Uztransgaz. Can you give an explanation to this situation?”
Finance Minister Jamshid Kuchkarov answered as follows:
“I do not agree with the opinion that Uzbekenergo operated in profit, in which case they would not ask us for money for the implementation of investment projects. Today, Uzbekenergo owes 1 trillion 350 billion soums to Uztransgaz. At the same time, Uzbekenergo buys products worth 1 trillion soums every month and it turns out that it owes Uztransgaz for products purchased for 40 days. This is a common situation between these organizations”.
It should be recalled that on July 30, the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers “On changing prices and tariffs for fuel and energy resources” was adopted, according to which, prices and tariffs for all energy resources were raised in different ways.
