Uzbekistan’s 2025 Green Energy Boom

Uzbekistan marked 2025 as a landmark year in its transition towards green energy, building on a decade of policy reforms and international partnerships. The country’s energy strategy combines rapid infrastructure expansion, renewable energy projects, and state-backed incentives for energy efficiency, positioning Uzbekistan as a regional leader in sustainable development.

By the end of 2025, Uzbekistan had increased its installed electricity capacity to 28,570 MW, up from 24,063 MW at the start of the year. Solar and wind power have become central to the country’s energy mix, with 13 solar and five wind power plants producing almost 4.7 GW. Over the course of the year, these facilities generated more than 9.7 bn kWh of electricity, saving 2.8 bn cubic metres of natural gas and preventing the release of 4.2 mln tonnes of harmful emissions.

Private businesses also helped by installing solar panels and solar water heaters, adding 1.9 GW of capacity. This saved another 761 mln cubic metres of gas and avoided 905,000 tonnes of pollution.

Ambitious Renewable Energy Targets

Uzbekistan’s green energy plans are bold. The target is to grow renewable energy’s share from 23% in 2025 to 54% by 2030. The government also wants to increase total electricity capacity to 51.6 GW by 2030 and 59 GW by 2035. Each year, electricity generation should rise from 85.5 bn kWh in 2025, up from 59 bn in 2016. At the same time, domestic use is set to reach 73.1 bn kWh.

Hydropower Expansion and Small-Scale Projects

Hydropower is also very important. The World Bank gave a $150 million loan to build small hydropower plants. These will produce over 500,000 GWh each year by 2030. Uzbekistan has selected 270 suitable sites along irrigation channels for these small stations, which will provide electricity to 280,000 people. The project is also set to attract $38 mln in private investment.

In the Namangan region, the Naryn hydropower plants are being built with a total capacity of 228 MW. They will generate over 1 billion kWh annually, supplying electricity to 430,000 homes. By the end of 2025, new hydro plants in Tashkent, Namangan, Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya will add 162 MW, making 648 mln kWh a year.

Waste-to-Energy Initiatives

Uzbekistan has also embraced waste-to-energy initiatives. In 2025, the first industrial-scale municipal waste plants began construction in Samarkand, Namangan and Fergana. Chinese companies Shanghai SUS Environment and China Everbright International lead these projects, with investment ranging from $141.5 mln to $150 mln per facility. Each plant will process up to 1,500 tonnes of waste daily and produce between 227.5 mln and 240 mln kWh of electricity annually. The power will be sold to the state under long-term contracts, and the plants are expected to create between 150 and 200 jobs. By 2027, Uzbekistan plans to open similar facilities across nine regions, contributing to a sustainable waste management system while adding to renewable energy generation.

International Financing and Partnerships

International funding is also helping Uzbekistan’s green energy push. The Japan Bank for International Cooperation is giving $635 million for two hybrid solar and battery storage plants near Samarkand, with a total capacity of 1,000 MW. Saudi and Japanese companies are involved in these projects. The Asian Development Bank and ACWA Power are also building a 200 MW wind project in Karakalpakstan, the first in the region with battery storage.

Uzbekistan has also begun pioneering green hydrogen production. In Chirchik, the first industrial-scale green hydrogen facility in Central Asia commenced production through solar and wind energy. Operated as a public-private partnership, ACWA Power owns 80% of the enterprise while the state-owned O’zkimyosanoat holds 20%. Officials say the project may serve as a model for the region and provide access to premium export markets.

Residential Energy Efficiency Measures

For homes, the government now gives grants and green mortgages to help build energy-efficient houses. People can get back all their energy audit costs, 20% of the cost of solar panels and heating devices, and 40% of the price of a heat pump. This is part of a bigger plan to cut household energy use, which is about 40% of the country’s total energy consumption.

Uzbekistan is also working with other countries to export green energy. The national electric companies of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan have established Green Corridor Union LLC to deliver green electricity to Europe. By 2030, Uzbekistan hopes to export up to 15bn kWh of electricity each year using underwater cables under the Black Sea.

Industrial Development and Modernisation

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev pointed out that, in 2025, Uzbekistan attracted $35 bn in foreign investment for energy. This money has helped not just with renewable energy but also with modernising 69,000 kilometres of power lines, 14,000 transformers and high-voltage substations. New factories like Angren Energo and O’zhydropower will soon make thousands of transformers and hydro units each year, making the country’s industry more competitive worldwide.

By the end of 2025, Uzbekistan had opened 42 new energy facilities and started building 21 more. The country added 5,000 MW of solar and wind power, plus 400 MW of hydropower, raising green energy’s share in the national grid to 30%. Small hydropower stations made by local companies produced 120 million kWh, while homes and schools installed 2,000 MW of solar panels, making almost 2bn kWh.

Uzbekistan’s progress in 2025 demonstrates a strong, balanced approach to green energy. The country is joining infrastructure, good policies, international partners and industrial growth. With big goals for 2030 and beyond, Uzbekistan is ready to meet its own energy needs and export green electricity to other countries. The mix of hydropower, solar, wind, waste-to-energy, and green hydrogen is helping cut carbon emissions, keep energy supplies safe, and grow the economy.