Uzbekistan reports sharp fall in coal and gas extraction amid rising electricity generation

According to the latest data released by the National Statistics Committee, coal production saw the sharpest contraction. Between January and May, output fell to 1.6 million tonnes, down 36% from 2.5 million tonnes recorded during the same period last year. Compared with January–May 2024, when production stood at 1.9 million tonnes, the figure was 15.8% lower.

Natural gas production also remained on a downward trajectory. The country produced 15.8 billion cubic meters during the reporting period, a 14.1% decline from the same period in 2025. Oil production dropped by 3.3% to 261,900 tonnes, while gas condensate output fell 18.8% to 391,700 tonnes.

The longer-term trend appears even more pronounced. Compared with the first five months of 2024, natural gas production was down 16.4%, oil output declined 14.1%, and gas condensate production fell 25.9%.

Despite the continued decline in hydrocarbon extraction, output increased across several manufacturing sectors.

Automobile gasoline production reached 502,200 tonnes in January–May, up 2% from 492,400 tonnes a year earlier. However, production remained 11.9% below the 569,700 tonnes recorded during the same period in 2024.

Portland cement and diesel fuel maintained steady growth, extending an upward trend that has continued for the past three years.

Portland cement production rose to 8.2 million tonnes, an increase of 5.1% from 7.8 million tonnes in January–May 2025 and 32.3% higher than the 6.2 million tonnes produced during the same period in 2024.

Diesel fuel output climbed to 476,400 tonnes, compared with 442,000 tonnes a year earlier, representing a 7.8% increase. Production was also 22.3% higher than the 389,700 tonnes recorded in the first five months of 2024.

Electricity generation increased by 3.1% year on year to 36.16 billion kilowatt-hours. The growth was driven by small businesses, whose electricity output surged 29.8% to 11.35 billion kilowatt-hours. By contrast, large enterprises reduced generation by 5.7%, producing 24.81 billion kilowatt-hours during the reporting period.

Heat energy production by large enterprises also declined, falling 17.4% year on year to 8.43 million gigacalories.