Energy Minister fires 44 local grid heads following critical performance review

The dismissals targeted heads of enterprises where electricity losses exceeded the 20% threshold. According to the review, the layoffs included 14 managers from the Andijan branch, 10 from Samarkand, 7 from Jizzakh, and 4 from Kashkadarya. Additionally, two managers each were dismissed from the Syrdarya, Tashkent, and Fergana branches.

Beyond electricity networks, the gas supply sector also faced scrutiny. The head of the Hududgaz Khorezm branch was ordered to be relieved of his duties due to serious deficiencies in management and service delivery.

These disciplinary measures followed comprehensive inspections carried out by the Electricity, Petroleum Products, and Gas Consumption Control Inspectorate under the Cabinet of Ministers. Working groups across the regions inspected 106,140 transformer points, identifying 25,668 units in urgent need of repair. While maintenance work is currently underway, the Ministry has issued strict instructions to replace wires in high-load networks and accelerate modernization efforts in critical areas.

Minister Mirzamahmudov emphasized the need for advanced solutions, calling for the expedited implementation of projects utilizing artificial intelligence to monitor and reduce energy losses. Measures to prevent illegal connections were also ordered to be strengthened nationwide.

Looking ahead, the meeting established specific tasks for the upcoming summer and autumn – winter seasons. Priorities include ensuring a stable gas supply, providing uninterrupted quality services to the population, and completing the integration of gas filling stations into the UGaz monitoring system. The Ministry stressed that preventing future technical problems remains the major objective for the energy sector's regional branches.