Construction has begun on a new waste incineration plant in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, aimed at transforming household waste into electricity, according to the Agency for Waste Management and Circular Economy Development.
The facility, backed by Chinese company Shanghai SUS Environment, is being built on a 15-hectare site in the Navruz mahalla, located in the western part of the city. A foundation-laying ceremony was held with the participation of Samarkand regional khokim Adiz Boboev and company representatives.
The $150mn project will be implemented in phases between 2025 and 2027. Once operational, the plant will be able to process up to 1,500 tons of waste daily and generate approximately 240mn kWh of electricity per year.
As part of long-term sustainability guarantees, the project company has secured a 30-year agreement to sell electricity to the national power distributor, Uzenergosotish. The facility is also expected to create up to 200 jobs once fully operational between 2025 and 2027.
The launch ceremony was attended by the regional khokim, sector representatives, Ecology and Waste Management Departments, mahalla committees, sanitary services, and members of the public.
The Samarkand project follows the launch of a similar waste-to-energy facility in the Andijan region, led by China International CAMC Engineering, which began construction last week. Both projects were approved by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in March 2025.
These initiatives are part of a broader national strategy to build waste incineration and electricity generation complexes in six regions: Tashkent, Andijan, Namangan, Fergana, Kashkadarya, and Samarkand. The designs for these plants were presented to the president in October 2024.
In line with these developments, a presidential decree issued in March 2025 aims to overhaul the country’s waste management system. By 2030, Uzbekistan plans to reduce solid municipal waste landfills by 50%. The strategy includes the establishment of industrial zones for waste recycling and disposal, with a minimum investment threshold of $3mn per project.
Uzbekistan’s waste-to-energy program supports the country’s transition to a green economy, contributing to a cleaner environment and improved public health for future generations.
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