Electricity losses in Uzbekistan's power grid reached 17.2% during the first half of 2026, while losses in the natural gas network stood at 7.6%, according to the president. In absolute terms, electricity losses amounted to 4.8 billion kWh, while natural gas losses totaled 797 million cubic meters over the six-month period.
Mirziyoyev criticized the pace of efforts to reduce network losses, saying the country was not doing enough to increase revenues through greater efficiency.
The meeting also heard that labor productivity at regional gas distribution companies is 1.5–2 times lower than in neighboring countries.
The president has repeatedly raised concerns over energy losses. At a meeting in April, officials reported that electricity losses exceeded 20% in 44 districts. Mirziyoyev then ordered the dismissal of managers at electricity distribution companies who had failed to improve performance and instructed their successors to cut losses by at least half.
The issue has also been highlighted in previous assessments of the country's energy sector. At a presidential meeting in February 2024, officials noted that Uzbekistan consumed 2.5 times more energy than the global average to generate $1 of gross domestic product. At that time, electricity losses were estimated at 14%, while natural gas losses exceeded 7%.
The World Bank estimated technical losses in Uzbekistan's electricity distribution networks at around 13% in 2024, noting that more than half of the country's distribution infrastructure has been in operation for over 30 years, contributing to network overloads, power losses and outages.
Earlier this month, the president was also briefed on a project to convert gas supply systems in 220,000 households across 881 neighborhoods from a three-stage to a two-stage configuration. One of the project's main objectives is to reduce technological gas losses.
The condition of the country's main gas transmission infrastructure also remains a concern. According to World Bank estimates, if modernization is not carried out, cumulative losses in the Uztransgaz network could reach 1.75 billion cubic meters by 2030, equivalent to approximately $228 million in lost revenue. The estimate reflects a scenario in which the necessary upgrades are not undertaken.
