Uzbek president calls for saving electricity, introducing energy-saving technology

TASHKENT. June 11 (Interfax) - Measures to increase the efficiency of energy resources use and secure the sustainable operation of energy facilities in the upcoming fall-winter period have been discussed at a meeting chaired by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

"Saving should be achieved by reducing losses and introducing energy-saving technologies," Mirziyoyev was quoted as saying by Uzbek media on Tuesday.

Mirziyoyev said strict energy efficiency requirements should be imposed on the design of new social facilities, enterprises, administrative buildings and housing.

It was decided at the meeting to introduce a new system of estimating energy efficiency in various sectors and areas based on best practices.

Major consumers that consume at least four million kW of electricity or 375,000 cubic meters of gas per year will thus undergo an energy audit every three years. The energy inspectorate will annually publish a list of large consumers, and those enterprises that have failed the audit will be supplied with gas and electricity at higher tariffs.

"Officials concerned have been instructed to elaborate technical regulations and regulatory documents associated with the new system by the end of the year," the Uzbek presidential website said.

Mirziyoyev voiced data according to which 250 emergency power outages have occurred in the country's regions since the beginning of the year, resulting in an unsteady electricity supply to consumers in some places. He tasked the relevant agencies with addressing these flaws.

The meeting also addressed enhancing the energy sector's resource base. There are plans to launch power plants with a capacity of four GW at the expense of all power generation sources this year. Furthermore, 850 kilometers of trunk networks and nine power substations will be overhauled, and 595 kilometers of power networks and four new power substations will be built.

The meeting focused on the need to increase coal production to secure the steady operation of thermal power plants and meet the needs of the population and social sector in the fall-winter period. In addition, fuel oil and coal will be exempted from customs duties for two years, and revolving credits will be granted for coal imports for three years.

In view of the growing number of electric vehicles in the country and plans to set up their production, the need to account for new charging facilities was highlighted. Experts suggested introducing an overnight tariff to encourage customers to charge electric vehicles at home. Residents who have installed meters for chargers will be granted a preferential tariff for charging at night.

Charging stations with a capacity of up to 22 kW are also expected to be installed on streets and near apartment buildings. Charging stations will also be placed in the parking lots of state institutions, shopping centers, hotels and resorts.

In order to provide the population with heat and drinking water during the fall and winter season, objectives were set to improve the operation of boiler houses and heating networks, as well as to repair water supply networks and pumps.