Uzbekistan's fuel production declines while electricity sees growth

According to the report of the Statistics Agency, in April 2024, Uzbekistan experienced a reduction in gas extraction volume to 3.7 billion cubic meters.

Compared to the figures from April 2023, the extraction volume decreased by 6.1% or 240 million cubic meters. The extraction volume for January through April amounted to 15.3 billion cubic meters, which is 5.9% or 964.8 million cubic meters less than the same period in 2023.

If current extraction rates are maintained (compared to a monthly average of 4.06 billion cubic meters in 2023), the gas extraction volume could decrease by almost 3 billion cubic meters by the end of the year.

In April, the production volume of electricity reached 7.67 billion kWh, representing an increase of 1.7 billion kWh or +27.6% compared to April last year, and a significant rise compared to 1.25 billion kWh in March 2024.

From January through April, production volume totaled 27.97 billion kWh, exceeding the previous year's four-month indicator by 7.2%.

It's worth noting that 80% of the electricity produced in the country comes from gas-fired power plants. However, with the launch of new capacities for photovoltaic power plants, their share is steadily decreasing.

The monthly coal extraction decreased by 25.8% compared to April 2023, amounting to 357.7 thousand tons (-124.7 thousand tons). January-April extraction volumes decreased by 9.8% to 1.33 million tons.

Oil extraction dropped to 62.2 thousand tons, which is a 1.3% decrease or 800 tons less than April 2023. Nevertheless, this figure represents the maximum since the beginning of October 2023 (63.9 thousand tons).

In April, 103.4 thousand tons of automobile gasoline were produced, which is 13.3% or 15.9 thousand tons less than in April 2023. When comparing the four-month figures, the decrease was 8%, dropping from 504.6 thousand tons to 464 thousand tons.

Diesel fuel production also declined by 12.5% from the corresponding period in 2023, from 172.4 thousand tons to 150.8 thousand tons. However, this is an increase of 71.3% compared to March 2024 (88 thousand tons). January-April figures fell by 4.6%, totaling 361.9 thousand tons.

As of the end of 2023, Uzbekistan saw a nearly 5 billion cubic meter decrease in gas extraction volumes. There was also a drop in oil and gas condensate production. However, coal extraction volumes increased by 15.5% to 6.2 million tons. Electricity, gasoline, and diesel production volumes also rose.

In 2023, Uzbekistan imported more gas than it exported, with a supply discrepancy exceeding $165 million.