Uzbekistan plans to introduce a program to liberalize gas and electricity prices by September this year. This move is expected to introduce social consumption norms and improve the efficiency of energy-consuming enterprises, media reports.
Currently, a single tariff for gas and electricity is set for each enterprise. Still, the plan is to divide them into different tariffs to approach each business and social layer in Uzbekistan separately.
The government's ultimate goal is to eliminate obstacles to the efficient operation and growth of the electric power industry. The Ministry of Energy is working on a new regulatory framework for the entire industry, which will be the basis for future reforms.
The plan is to ensure the transition to a competitive electricity market in Uzbekistan by attracting foreign expertise in electricity transmission to the region, with the aim is to attract well-managed companies that can demonstrate a new approach to electricity production and delivery to the final consumer.
An independent regulator will be established to regulate market-based tariffs and the relationship between energy producers and consumers.
The government is studying the experience of Azerbaijan in this regard, and once it is tested, the regulator can work independently. Tariff differentiation is expected to force consumers to save and reduce subsidies from the budget to the most energy-consuming population segment.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has emphasized that the transition to a free energy market will be gradual.
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