The Use of Renewable Energy – An Issue of National Importance for Uzbekistan
TEHRAN (Iran News) The main slogan of the country is a guide to action in all areas. As you know, in the modern world, ensuring a prosperous human life largely depends on access to energy. In Uzbekistan, as a result of reforms in recent years, disruptions in the supply of energy to the population have been significantly reduced. However, due to the sharp increase in energy demand in the autumn-winter period, a significant load falls on the country’s power grid.
Today in Uzbekistan there is a need for an additional 2-3 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. It is expected that over the next five years it will increase to 10 billion kilowatt-hours.
The most effective way in such a situation is to expand the use of renewable energy sources (RES) in homes, businesses, kindergartens, schools and hospitals.
In this regard, at the next meeting of the Government of Uzbekistan, issues of widespread introduction of devices based on renewable energy sources, measures to encourage the population to use them were discussed.
It was indicated that the issue of the use of renewable energy is of national importance. Therefore, leaders at all levels should set a personal example in the use of alternative energy equipment.
The meeting also determined the introduction of a new system of support for the population and entrepreneurs. Thus, for each installed equipment for generating electricity from solar and wind energy, depending on its capacity, compensation will be provided up to 15 million Uzbek soums, and for water heating equipment based on these energy sources – up to 2 million Uzbek soums. Instead of compensation, an opportunity will be given to take the equipment in installments for 3 years without interest.
Another advantage is that people do not have to visit any office. All documents will be issued at the place of purchase of equipment. This system will be implemented at the expense of a special fund of the Ministry of Energy.
Responsible departments were instructed to digitize the entire process and launch the new system from September 1 this year.
A particular attention is paid to the supply of low income families with such devices, the residents of remote and hard-to-reach areas. The need to use devices based on alternative energy in the block of flats «Yangi Uzbekiston» («New Uzbekistan»), as well as in the organization of street lighting as part of the programs «Obod Qishloq» (‘A prosperous village’) and «Obod Makhalla» (‘A prosperous local neighborhood community area’).
The meeting also noted positive experiences in various regions of the country.
For example, school No. 3 of the Khodjeyli district of the Republic of Karakalpakstan is equipped with solar panels with a capacity of 12 kilowatts and a 1 ton water-heating boiler. As a result, the institution saves 30 million Uzbek soums annually on electricity and natural gas.
And the branch of the Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology in Tashkent uses a 100 kilowatt solar installation and 36 water heaters, which saves electricity by almost 2 billion Uzbek soums a year.
At the meeting, the task was to disseminate this experience and gradually install equipment based on alternative energy in preschool institutions, schools, medical and other social facilities.
In addition, from 2023, many buildings, such as shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, gas stations, airports, railway stations, commercial banks, will have to provide part of their energy costs for hot water and outdoor lighting only from renewable energy sources.
Calculations show that Uzbekistan consumes electricity and gas for 10 billion dollars a year. For example, last year the Ministry of Water Resources spent 3 trillion Uzbek soums on energy resources, while public education and healthcare systems spent 200 billion Uzbek soums each.
It was emphasized that the time has come to start transferring all ministries and departments, khokimiyats and mahallas to alternative energy.
In this regard, the Ministry of Finance was instructed to establish energy consumption standards in government agencies, develop a National Energy Saving Program in economic sectors and social facilities.
It was noted that given the growing demand for alternative energy devices, it is necessary to increase their production in the country.
Hydroelectric power plants are another important source of energy. To increase the power generating capacity in the regions, sites suitable for the construction of micro and small hydroelectric power plants have been identified, in total 200 such projects have been developed with a total capacity of 56 megawatts.
The need to implement projects on the basis of public-private partnership was noted. At the same time, attractive purchase rates will be provided for entrepreneurs, and the land will be transferred to the winner of the auction for a long-term lease. The surplus of electricity generated by solar, wind and micro hydroelectric power stations will be guaranteed to be purchased by the state for at least 10 years.
