Uzbekistan's gas industry 'ready for all whims' of coming winter - Energy Minister

ABU DHABI. Nov 5 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan's gas industry is ready to operate in winter conditions, Uzbek Energy Minister Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov told reporters on the sidelines of the ADIPEC exhibition and conference in the United Arab Emirates.

"We have conducted systematic operations this year, and believe that we are prepared for winter. There are of course pros and cons. There is abnormal weather, so we are ready for all the whims" of the upcoming season, Mirzamakhmudov said.

Uzbekistan has been forced to reduce gas consumption in recent years owing to the decline in domestic production following a long period of robust growth, becoming a net importer of natural gas in 2023.

Russia began supplying gas to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan in October 2023, with Russia's Foreign Ministry saying that the volume of supplies currently exceeds 5 billion cubic meters. Agreements have been signed with the region's countries on expanding strategic cooperation.

PJSC Gazprom is confident that its gas supplies to the region are contributing to the long-term, dynamic development of the economies of Central Asian countries.