Uzbekistan and France have discussed expanding strategic cooperation in the energy sector as the countries' joint investment portfolio surpassed $4bn, with officials reviewing ongoing projects, future investments, and opportunities to strengthen bilateral energy partnerships.
Uzbekistan's Minister of Energy Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov met with Claude Imauven and Aurelien Lechevallier to discuss new opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector.
The sides noted that recent high-level exchanges between Uzbekistan and France, including President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's state visit to France and meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, have elevated bilateral relations and created fresh momentum for investment and business cooperation.
French companies are implementing three energy projects worth $2bn in Uzbekistan, while six additional projects valued at $1.8bn are under development. Uzbek officials said the broader bilateral energy cooperation portfolio exceeds $4bn.
Particular attention was given to cooperation with EDF, which is developing combined-cycle gas power plants in the Syrdarya and Surkhandarya regions with a combined capacity exceeding 3.1GW. The projects are expected to strengthen Uzbekistan's energy security, improve electricity generation efficiency, and enhance the reliability of power supplies.
The meeting also highlighted the contribution of TotalEnergies and Voltalia to Uzbekistan's renewable energy sector through investments in solar and wind power plants, as well as energy storage systems.
French companies active in the energy and industrial sectors also presented new technologies, investment opportunities, and proposals for future projects in Uzbekistan.
The discussions covered prospects for cooperation in developing modern energy infrastructure, expanding generation capacity, building transmission networks and energy storage facilities, improving energy efficiency, introducing digital technologies, and strengthening engineering expertise and workforce training.
