[SMM Analysis] Uzbekistan's Renewable Energy Facility Construction: ESS Installations Expected to Reach 18 GW by 2030

Uzbekistan is actively advancing its energy transition, aiming to become a model for energy transformation in Central Asia. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan announced that the country plans to increase the share of renewable energy in total power generation to 54% by 2030, up from the originally targeted 40%, with an additional 19,000 MW of installed capacity. This ambitious goal is expected to be achieved through the commissioning of 18 solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 3,400 MW and ESS with a capacity of 1,800 MW by 2025. The total power generation is projected to reach 12 billion kWh, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 5 million households, while reducing harmful gas emissions by 6.5 million mt.

Uzbekistan's energy transition plan has garnered extensive support and participation from the international community. The total investment in the 18 new energy projects amounts to $3.7 billion, covering a wide range of types, including solar, wind, ESS, and small hydropower plants. Notably, the Andijan and Fergana regions have established the country's first 300 MW utility ESS, marking a significant milestone in Uzbekistan's energy technology sector. Additionally, six power plants constructed in collaboration with internationally renowned energy companies have a total capacity of 2.5 GW, with a combined investment of $3.5 billion.

The implementation of these projects is expected to add 9.5 billion kWh of annual power production, save 2.5 billion m³ of natural gas, and reduce harmful emissions by 4.6 million mt annually. This will significantly improve the energy supply chain, providing more stable and cleaner energy to over 4 million households. Uzbekistan's energy transition plan not only contributes to optimizing its energy structure and environmental protection but also offers vast opportunities for international energy cooperation, promoting energy connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Uzbekistan also plans to further liberalize its electricity market, aiming to establish a competitive wholesale electricity market by the end of next year and introduce public-private partnerships in energy distribution, attracting $4 billion in investments for network modernization. Moreover, Uzbekistan has expanded international cooperation in the green energy sector, signing agreements under the COP-29 framework with Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Saudi Arabia to jointly export "green energy" to Europe. A unified platform has also been launched to ensure the stability of the regional energy system.

The year 2025 has been declared Uzbekistan's Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy, with the government focusing on "green" technologies, water conservation, and afforestation to address global warming and the increasing frequency of natural disasters. This series of actions demonstrates Uzbekistan's strong commitment to green development and environmental protection, as well as its active role in global sustainable development.