“No electricity, no gas, and accidents”: Ministry of Energy once again gives the old excuses

Earlier, Kun.uz talked about how during the year the Uzbeks live in fear that they can be left without electricity and gas at any time. It is known that in September a new Minister of Energy was appointed, but nothing has changed, but on the contrary, interruptions have become more frequent. It is too hot in summer and too cold in winter. In this way, during the year, the Ministry of Energy justifies itself to the population. Seasons, nature and Uzbeks are to be blamed for everything.

Who was deceived by the new minister?

In early October this year, the Ministry of Energy reported that in the autumn-winter season, the volume of supplies of natural gas and electricity to consumers will be increased.

Then it became known that the new Minister of Energy Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov held a critical meeting on the state of work on preparation for the autumn-winter season in organizations and joint-stock companies operating in the fuel and energy complex (FEC), existing problems and ways to solve them.

At the meeting, the task was set to supply consumers with a total of 30.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas in the autumn-winter period. Of these, 10.4 billion cubic meters of gas will be supplied to the population, and 20.2 billion cubic meters – to the economy.

According to the ministry, in total, 34 billion 918 million kilowatt-hours (2 billion 540 million kilowatt-hours more than in the previous autumn-winter season) of electricity will be supplied to consumers of the republic during the autumn-winter period. Including the population will be supplied with 10 billion 938 million kilowatt-hours of electricity.

At the same time, the facts indicate that electricity is increasingly cut off in the capital and in the regions, and gas pressure is low. Nothing has changed.

Eternal excuses

On November 12, the Ministry of Energy again spoke about old problems that have been discussed for several years. Traditionally, the weather, the season and the people of Uzbekistan are to be blamed.

“After the cold snap began, consumer demand for electricity and gas is increasing. Also, on cold days, there is a sharp drop in natural gas pressure in main gas pipelines and networks. As a result, some thermal power plants producing electricity receive less natural gas. This, in turn, leads to a decrease in electricity production,” the report reads.

In addition, the Ministry of Energy reported a decrease in pressure during the supply of natural gas.

Further, Kun.uz will not write in detail about what was reported in the Ministry of Energy. This is a traditional press release that is published every summer and winter. Uzbeks already know them by heart.

Accident at the power unit of Angren TPP

Thanks to “deep reforms” in the field of energy supply, an accident occurred at the power unit of Angren TPP in the Tashkent region.

A ministerial press release states that the Minister of Energy personally visited the facility, formed a special team, carried out repairs, and soon the supply of thermal energy will be established.

Polling instead of demanding

Deputy of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis Rasul Kusherbayev decided to conduct a survey and asked the residents of Uzbekistan: “Are you turned off the electricity without warning?”

At the time of publication, 88% (8,304 people) of those surveyed answered that their electricity was cut off without warning.

MPs of the Legislative Chamber could make a parliamentary inquiry to the Ministry of Energy and find out all the details. So far one of the deputies has decided to conduct a survey. In addition, people’s representatives may already know the answer of the Energy Ministry – nature, seasons and Uzbeks are to be blamed.

What happened to the presidential order?

On October 24 this year, the President held a meeting on ensuring the sustainable operation of economic sectors and social institutions in the autumn-winter period. At the meeting, the Minister of Energy and khokims of the regions reported on the work done in this direction.

 “The leaders of all industries and regions should double their responsibility in this matter, meet the needs of the population, should not leave without attention and each appeal should be promptly resolved,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev ordered then.

The Ministry of Energy was instructed to monitor the state of providing the population with energy resources in real time, it was noted that the activities of call centers and regional working groups are important in solving emerging problems.

A Kun.uz correspondent tried to contact the helpline and call centers (electricity and natural gas) of the Ministry of Energy. No results – the phone call was never answered.

As noted above, such frequent power and gas interruptions are occurring for the first time in five years. Perhaps soon Uzbeks will again have to charge their phones at night or in the early morning, because only at this time they supply electricity. Many people have already forgotten about natural gas.