The Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan, in collaboration with the World Bank, inaugurated the Clean Energy for Buildings Project during a joint event on April 23. This initiative, financially supported by the World Bank, aims to enhance energy efficiency in public buildings and establish a conducive framework for clean energy investments within the buildings sector, World Bank Uzbekistan reported.
Uzbekistan's buildings sector currently consumes 50% of the nation's total final energy, with heating accounting for a significant portion of energy consumption in public buildings such as regional hospitals, pre-schools, rural clinics, and public schools. Many of these structures were constructed during the 1970s and 1980s, lacking proper insulation and operating below thermal comfort standards. Consequently, they rely on outdated boilers and water heating systems with high energy intensity.
In response to these challenges, the World Bank conducted a study in 2021, identifying significant energy savings potential in pre-schools, schools, and healthcare facilities across Uzbekistan. Subsequently, in June 2022, the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved a $143 mn concessional credit for Uzbekistan to implement the Clean Energy for Buildings Project. This endeavor seeks to invest in the energy efficiency of public buildings nationwide, bolstering resilience to climate change, reducing energy consumption, and minimizing gas emissions.
The IESF will provide a range of services, including energy audits, design of energy efficiency measures, procurement and financing of works, and measurement and verification of energy savings. These measures will encompass insulation enhancements, upgrades to heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and lighting systems, as well as the replacement of coal boilers with renewable energy alternatives such as solar electricity panels and heat pumps.
By modernizing public buildings to meet national thermal comfort standards, the project aims to reduce energy consumption, improve air quality, enhance energy supply security, and elevate the quality of public services. Moreover, it will enhance the IESF's capacity to implement clean energy investments across various sectors, support the launch of a National Building Energy Efficiency Program, and facilitate legislative reforms to regulate the clean energy investments market.
The project launch event saw the participation of Minister of Energy Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, senior government officials, private sector representatives, and journalists. World Bank Country Manager for Uzbekistan Marco Mantovanelli and International Finance Corporation Country Manager for Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Neil McKain represented the World Bank Group. Attendees were briefed on the project's role in fostering energy efficiency, planned activities, expected outcomes, and social benefits.
Furthermore, international and local experts shared insights from similar projects implemented in countries such as Mexico, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Turkey. Additionally, representatives from local and foreign firms were apprised of opportunities to participate in tenders for supplying goods and services required for project implementation, including energy-efficient equipment, audit and design services, and construction works.
Earlier Daryo reported that MEF of Uzbekistan, along with an international organization, signs $50 mn soft loan agreement for Digital Inclusion project.
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