Entrepreneurs in Oltinkul district disconnected from electricity, being forced to install solar panels 

On the morning of September 7, shops, pharmacies, gas stations, bakeries, educational centers, production enterprises in Oltinkul district of Andijan region were massively disconnected from electricity. Entrepreneurs operating in the district informed Kun.uz about this.

"Today, around 09:30-10:00, the electricity went out. Later, I heard that all the businessmen in the district were being disconnected from electricity en masse. We were told that this was done at the behest of the district prosecutor's office. When 10-15 businessmen went to the prosecutor's office together, they said: "We have no information". The district electricity company says that if we don't install solar panels, we won't get electricity.

They say: "Install the solar panels and show us the signed contracts, we will provide electricity". Now, since early morning, more and more entrepreneurs have gone looking for solar panels. Some may install it, but I can't afford it now, I don't have extra money right now. Let them give us a month to install, we will do our best. But it is unreasonable to say that we will be disconnected from the electricity now and install the solar panel now. They are damaging the business," one of the businessmen who spoke to Kun.uz said.

In the appeal to the district electricity networks, the workshops that prepare food have frozen products in the refrigerators and asked to turn on the electricity as soon as possible.

"But they are not taking into account anyone's problem, they are forcing to install solar panels," another businessman said.

Kun.uz contacted the press service of Regional Electric Networks JSC to clarify the situation. The press secretary of the company said that such appeals have also come from other regions.

"But it cannot be cut off without warning. Entrepreneurs must install solar panels, this has been mentioned the presidential decrees No. PQ-57 dated February 16, 2023 "On measures to accelerate the introduction of renewable energy sources and energy-saving technologies in 2023" and No. PQ-222 dated May 31, 2024 "On additional measures to increase efficiency of using energy resources".

Kun.uz tried to get a comment from the press secretary of the Oltinkul district administration, but it was not possible.