In Bakhrin village, Andijan, the Karimzhanova family is at the forefront of a rural transformation, thanks to the "Market Transformation for Sustainable Rural Housing in Uzbekistan" project. Spearheaded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with backing from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), this initiative is designed to enhance rural housing while promoting eco-friendly technologies.
The project provides subsidies for various energy-efficient technologies, including solar panels, energy storage systems, solar water heaters, heat pumps, double-glazed windows, and heat-insulating materials. The project offers higher subsidy rates—by 2.5% more—to women, pensioners, and people with disabilities. This inclusivity is designed to enhance living conditions in rural areas while advancing environmental sustainability.
Oydin Karimzhanova, a cashier at a local bank, discovered the opportunity for a solar panel subsidy through her work.
"I learned from my colleagues about a chance to get subsidies for solar panels," she recalls. "The idea of reducing our energy costs and ensuring a stable power supply was very appealing."
With the project’s support, the Karimzhanova family received a 32.5% subsidy for the installation costs. This assistance has led to a 40% reduction in their electricity consumption and has provided reliable power during outages.
"During a recent power outage, our neighbors were surprised to see our lights still on," Oydin says with a smile. "We thought operating the panels would be difficult, but they are easy to manage and require no special care."
The UNDP/GEF project is already making a difference, having allocated nearly UZS500mn ($39,417) in subsidies. Through these efforts, rural communities in Uzbekistan are experiencing a brighter, more sustainable future.
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