Uzbekistan’s Gas Production Falls as Imports Surge
Uzbekistan’s natural gas production fell by 15% in the first quarter of 2026, increasing the country’s reliance on imported fuel and adding pressure to its energy system.
According to the National Statistics Committee, Uzbekistan produced 9.6 bn cubic meters of gas in January-March, down from 11.3 bn cubic meters a year earlier. Oil, coal, and gas condensate production also declined during the period.
At the same time, domestic energy demand continues to rise as Uzbekistan’s population surpasses 38 mln and industrial growth accelerates.
The production decline has pushed Tashkent to increase imports. Uzbekistan spent $360.5 million on natural gas imports in the first quarter of 2026, more than double the amount recorded a year earlier, while gas export revenues dropped to $36.7 mln.
Most imported gas comes from Russia and Turkmenistan. Russian supplies are delivered through Kazakhstan via the Soviet-era Central Asia-Center pipeline system. Russia began supplying gas to Uzbekistan in 2023 and has steadily increased exports since then.
Uzbek authorities are trying to stabilize production through new drilling and infrastructure repairs. State-owned Uzbekneftegaz said exploration work added 2 bn cubic meters of reserves in the first quarter, while the company plans to launch 22 new wells this year.
Meanwhile, the government is accelerating renewable-energy projects to reduce dependence on gas-fired electricity generation. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev previously said newly launched solar, wind, and energy-storage facilities could eventually reduce gas consumption by nearly 7 billion cubic meters annually.
Despite these efforts, analysts warn that aging infrastructure, rising consumption, and falling production could increase Uzbekistan’s dependence on imported energy in the coming years.
