Uzbekistan launches massive €9.46 billion green energy push that could transform the nation’s power supply by 2026

Uzbekistan just kicked off its most ambitious green energy transformation yet. On December 5, 2025, the Central Asian nation unveiled 42 new renewable projects worth €9.46 billion, reshaping how the country powers itself. This initiative could impact Central Asia’s energy landscape while setting a blueprint for climate-conscious development across the region.

Uzbekistan’s €9.46 Billion Energy Revolution Begins Now

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the sweeping initiative at the “Powering the Future: Sustainable Energy for New Uzbekistan” forum in Tashkent. The government made an audacious claim: every household could run entirely on clean electricity by 2026. Green energy generation will reach 23 billion kilowatt-hours, covering the entire nation’s annual power consumption.

The 42 new facilities represent a mix of state and private investment. They include generation plants, energy storage systems, substations, and 420 kilometers of high-voltage transmission lines. These projects span multiple regions, creating a distributed network that strengthens energy security across the country.

16 Power Plants and 10 Storage Facilities Transform Grid Stability

Project Component	Details
Solar, Wind, Thermal & Hydro Plants	16 facilities with 3,500 megawatts capacity
Energy Storage Systems	10 utility-scale systems providing 1,245 megawatts
Grid Infrastructure	11 substations and 420 km high-voltage lines
Storage Peak Capacity	1.5 billion kilowatt-hours injected during peak hours

The 10 energy storage systems solve a critical problem: renewable sources like solar and wind produce power intermittently. These batteries can store 1.5 billion kilowatt-hours and release it during peak demand, stabilizing the entire grid. Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov emphasized that the expansion will cut natural gas consumption by 7 billion cubic meters while preventing 11 million tons of harmful emissions.

International Partners Fuel the Green Energy Push

Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power remains the most active investor in Uzbekistan’s energy transformation. The company added 2,500 megawatts to the grid this year alone. Voltalia, a French renewable energy firm, recently signed agreements for a 200-megawatt hybrid project combining wind and storage. Deputy CEO Yoni Ammar revealed plans for a massive 500-megawatt storage project called Turan, with construction starting in 2026.

Over the past decade, foreign investment exceeding €30 billion has transformed Uzbekistan’s power sector. Electricity generation jumped from 60 billion kilowatt-hours in 2017 to 85 billion in 2024. Companies from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, China, France, and Qatar are actively constructing facilities. EDF Central Asia is building two gas-fired power plants with partners from Japan, Qatar, and Germany, with turbine tests beginning this week.

Climate Goals and 2030 Renewable Energy Targets Define Strategy

Uzbekistan set an ambitious renewable energy target of 54% by 2030, requiring 17,000 additional megawatts of capacity. The government must build 6,000 kilometers of high-voltage networks to distribute this power, with 1,000 kilometers scheduled for next year. This expansion positions the nation as a regional renewable energy powerhouse.

At COP-30 in Brazil, Uzbekistan showcased the iCraft initiative with the World Bank, which accounts for 23 million tons of verified greenhouse-gas reductions. The country launched a carbon-credit trading system where 17 domestic industrial companies adopted international green-energy certification. The government aims to triple this to 100 companies within two years, driving corporate sustainability across the economy.

“We have set two major objectives as our main priorities in this direction. The first is to ensure a reliable and uninterrupted energy supply for all sectors and regions. The second is to achieve this goal through modern, environmentally friendly, and renewable alternative energy sources.”

— Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan

How Will This Green Energy Push Impact Uzbekistan’s Economic Future?

Beyond electricity generation, Uzbekistan is expanding renewable energy to low-income communities. A new program will install 107 megawatts of rooftop and micro-solar plants across 300 neighborhoods, supplying green energy to 30,000 low-income families. These households can also sell excess power to the grid, creating income opportunities.

Entrepreneurs are investing heavily in small hydropower. This year, 40 micro-hydro plants generated 120 million kilowatt-hours of electricity. An additional 65 megawatts is planned for next year, improving electricity supply for 80,000 households. The government is also extending public-private partnerships to energy distribution, with Turkiye’s Aksa Elektrik now managing Samarkand’s regional grid, expected to save €17.2 million annually through efficiency gains.

Sources

• Euronews – Official announcement and project details from December 5, 2025
• World Bank – Uzbekistan energy modernization program and iCraft initiative
• UNDP – Climate commitment and just energy transition updates