Uzbekistan aims to export 10-15bn kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity to Europe by 2030, a goal that Deputy Energy Minister Umid Mamadaminov emphasized on November 6 during the European Economy Days in Uzbekistan, noting that the plan relies on the country's expanding energy generation capacity.
"We predict that by 2030, the demand for electricity in Uzbekistan will be around 120-125bn kWh. With approximately 135bn kWh in generating capacity, we will have excess electricity available for export," Mamadaminov explained. "Once the necessary infrastructure is in place, we will be ready to export electricity to Europe."
The electricity will be transported via a "green corridor" — a dedicated cable route for renewable energy transmission, which Uzbekistan plans to use to export surplus "green" electricity to Europe through Azerbaijan. This development follows a joint initiative between Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan, which saw the signing of a protocol in July to create the "Central Asia – Azerbaijan – Europe" green energy corridor. A related memorandum of cooperation was also signed earlier this year at an investment forum in Tashkent.
The specifics of the export volumes to Europe will depend on the capacity of the transmission cable and agreements with partners, as outlined by Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov in August. He noted that Uzbekistan is fully self-sufficient in electricity and is prepared to supply between 2 to 5 gigawatts (GW) of energy to Europe.
A key part of the project’s development is the involvement of the Italian company CESI, which is currently working on a feasibility study.
"CESI has already begun its work, and the feasibility study is expected to be completed by the end of 2025," Mamadaminov said. "The cable, which will stretch for about 2,500 kilometers, will be an expensive high-voltage direct current (HVDC) line. The exact cost will be determined by the feasibility study, but it is expected to exceed $2bn."
Regarding the pricing of electricity exports, Mamadaminov explained that the cost would be market-driven, with a minimum price of 4-5 cents per kWh.
This initiative is set to be formalized during the COP29 UN climate conference in Baku, where Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan are expected to sign an agreement for the creation of the green energy corridor.
Beyond the export project, Mamadaminov also addressed the need for infrastructure improvements to support Uzbekistan's electricity generation.
"We have made significant progress in power generation, but the infrastructure for storage and transportation is key," he said. "We need at least 5,000 kilometers of transmission lines, including 500 kV and 200 kV high-voltage lines, along with substations."
To ensure reliable integration of renewable energy sources like wind and solar into the grid, Uzbekistan plans to install over 2,000 MW of energy storage systems, with a total storage capacity exceeding 400 MWh. Additionally, by 2026, the country expects to have at least 4,000 MW of baseload capacity, which will help manage fluctuations in solar power generation.
Mamadaminov also noted that Uzbekistan is working on creating a single platform for the purchase and sale of electricity, which will help balance the national energy system. He highlighted the potential for collaboration with neighboring countries like Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, which possess substantial hydropower resources that complement Uzbekistan’s renewable energy generation.
Earlier, Umid Mamadaminov mentioned that Uzbekistan is advancing efforts to establish a regulatory framework for a carbon market and develop carbon pricing mechanisms, aiming to complete this work by year’s end.
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