Uzbekistan Launches $150 Million Waste-to-Energy Plant in Samarkand

A landmark investment initiative is now underway in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region with the launch of a high-tech waste-to-energy facility designed to convert household waste into electricity, contributing to the country’s green transition and environmental sustainability goals.

The project is being developed through a strategic partnership between the Agency for Waste Management and Circular Economy, under the Ministry of Ecology of Uzbekistan, and Shanghai SUS Environment LLC, a leading Chinese company in environmental and waste treatment technologies, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

The cooperation agreement, signed by Sharifbek Khasanov, Director of the Uzbek agency, and Long Ji Sheng, CEO of Shanghai SUS Environment, sets out a shared commitment to deploying advanced thermal incineration technologies to address urban waste while generating clean energy.

The project was greenlit under Presidential Decree No. PQ-118, issued on March 24, 2025, which calls for implementing cutting-edge waste-to-energy systems, attracting foreign direct investment, and improving environmental standards nationwide.

The first phase of construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony held in the Navruz mahalla of Khushrav village, Samarkand. The facility will occupy a 15-hectare site and is scheduled to be operational between 2025 and 2027.

Speaking at the event, Khasanov stressed the plant’s importance in reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills, expanding renewable energy sources, and supporting Uzbekistan’s circular economy strategy. “This project is a step forward in ensuring environmental safety and energy independence for the region,” he noted.

According to project documentation, the plant will process up to 1,500 tons of solid waste daily, producing approximately 240 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. The total investment by Shanghai SUS Environment is estimated at $150 million.

In addition to environmental benefits, the facility is expected to create 150 to 200 new jobs, boosting the local economy and strengthening the region’s industrial capacity.

Under the terms of the agreement, Uzenergosotish, Uzbekistan’s national electricity sales company, will purchase the generated power for a period of 30 years. Meanwhile, a consistent supply of solid waste will be ensured through existing agreements with municipal services.

The ceremony was attended by regional government officials, international investors, sector specialists, representatives from UNDP and environmental institutions, as well as local mahalla activists and residents-demonstrating widespread support for the project.