Uzbekistan plans 13 hydropower plants by year-end, reviews sector expansion

The projects will have a combined capacity of 114 megawatts and are expected to generate 537 million kilowatt-hours annually, creating 254 jobs, the presidential press service reported.

Uzbekistan has more than 150,000 km of rivers, canals, and streams, which are critical to water supply, irrigation, energy production, and environmental sustainability. Hydropower currently accounts for about 10–12% of electricity generation, with the bulk still reliant on natural gas and coal.

Authorities view hydropower expansion as key to improving grid stability, reducing fuel dependence, and making more efficient use of water resources.

Plans for 73 projects worth $5.8 billion over 2026–2032 were reviewed, with an expected addition of 3.6 gigawatts of capacity.

Among major projects, the Upper Pskem hydropower plant in Bostanlyk district, valued at $365 million, will have a capacity of 160 megawatts and an annual output of 484 million kilowatt-hours, supplying around 161,000 households. Local content is projected at 82%.

In Sokh district of Fergana region, a 15-megawatt plant will be built under a “national project” model, generating 50 million kilowatt-hours annually and covering about 71% of local demand.

Separately, plans include building 42 small hydropower plants on rivers feeding the Topalang reservoir, with a combined capacity of 541 megawatts and annual output of nearly 1.9 billion kilowatt-hours.

Additional proposals include the construction of pumped-storage plants with a total capacity of 1.4 gigawatts, as well as nearly 3,000 small and micro hydropower units.

The government is also moving to introduce digital monitoring and artificial intelligence systems in the sector, with 3,500 monitoring devices already installed at water facilities.

Beyond energy, the president reviewed urban development plans in Tashkent, including riverbank upgrades and the creation of artificial lakes to improve the city’s microclimate. Officials were instructed to increase the number of planned reservoirs from four to 12.