Uzbekistan Plans to Boost Electricity Export to Europe by 2030

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Uzbekistan aims to export between 10 and 15 billion kWh of electricity to foreign markets by 2030, according to Deputy Energy Minister Umid Mamadaminov.

Speaking at the "Days of European Economy in Uzbekistan" forum on November 6, Mamadaminov outlined the country’s ambitious energy export plans, noting that Uzbekistan's electricity demand is expected to reach 120-125 billion kWh by 2030, with its generation capacity set to surpass 135 billion kWh, The Caspian Post reports, citing The Times of Central Asia.

At a meeting in Astana in August, Uzbekistan outlined plans to start exporting surplus electricity to Europe by 2030. Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamahmudov noted that if the joint project with Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan to lay a cable under the Caspian Sea is successful, Uzbekistan will be able to transmit excess energy to Europe. Mirzamahmudov said that renewable energy capacity would exceed 4 GW by the end of this year and is expected to reach over 20 GW by 2030, with 2-5 GW available for export.

In the summer, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan agreed on a draft strategic partnership to develop and transmit green energy. The agreement includes terms for a preliminary feasibility study, which is being developed by the Italian company CESI.

“We selected CESI to handle the project’s feasibility study,” Mamadaminov stated. “The study will take about a year and a half to complete, with an expected finish date by the end of 2025. Following this, construction will begin based on the study. The project requires around 2,500 km of HVDC (high-voltage direct current) cable, which will be costly—exceeding $2 billion.”

Mamadaminov added that the electricity price will be market-driven but is expected to start at around 4-5 cents per kilowatt.