Uzbekistan Breaks Ground on 21 New Energy and Infrastructure Projects as Renewable Push Accelerates

Uzbekistan has launched construction of 21 major energy and infrastructure facilities, marking a significant leap in the country’s transition toward clean and reliable power. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the projects at the Powering the Future forum in Tashkent, where he also inaugurated 42 new renewable generation, storage and grid facilities worth $11bn.

Backed by global partners including ACWA Power, Masdar, EDF, TotalEnergies and Siemens Energy, the developments signal rapid expansion of Uzbekistan’s clean-energy sector. Delegations from the UAE, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan attended the forum.

The newly commissioned facilities include 16 solar, wind, thermal and hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 3,500 MW across Karakalpakstan, Bukhara, Kashkadarya and Tashkent. Once fully operational, they are expected to generate up to 15 bn kWh of electricity annually, boosting the nation’s renewable output to 23 bn kWh next year.

Ten large-scale battery storage systems totalling 1,245 MW will add 1.5 bn kWh during peak demand, while 11 substations and 420 km of new high-voltage lines will strengthen grid stability. New enterprises, including Angren Energo and Uzhydropower, will supply transformers and hydro units domestically.

Officials say the shift to clean power will cut natural gas use by nearly 7 bn cubic metres per year and reduce emissions by around 11 mln tonnes.

Uzbekistan has attracted $35bn in foreign investment for its energy sector since 2017 and added 9,000 MW of capacity. Over the next five years, it plans to draw more than $150bn for industrial and infrastructure projects, including supercomputers and data centres to support AI-driven industries.

«Reliable, uninterrupted and environmentally friendly energy is essential for our future,» Mirziyoyev said. «These projects will drive sustainable growth and open new opportunities for generations to come.»

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that as of early December 2025, Uzbekistan’s gold and foreign currency reserves reached a record $61.2 bn, according to the central bank. Reserves rose 3.2% over the month and nearly 49% since the start of the year.