Energy Ministry to launch unified infrastructure passports for every neighborhood
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The Energy Ministry is set to introduce standardized infrastructure passports for every neighborhood across Uzbekistan, according to an announcement by the new Energy Minister, Sherzod Khodjayev, after a presidential meeting yesterday. This initiative aims to comprehensively document the state of electricity and natural gas supply in each mahalla.
Minister Khodjayev explained that these energy passports will furnish precise details regarding consumer statistics, the condition of network infrastructure, and the exact financial and temporal investments necessary for upgrading local grids.
"We must establish an energy passport for every single neighborhood," Khodjayev stated. "This allows us to accurately calculate all technical parameters, from the exact number and category of consumers to the current status of power and gas infrastructure. If existing capacities cannot meet the demands of residents and businesses, we must predetermine exactly how and at what stage we will upgrade the infrastructure."
The minister highlighted a significant change in how the energy sector will interact with the public. To circumvent overloaded telephone systems, the ministry plans to roll out mobile applications and contemporary digital platforms, enabling users to directly report grid disruptions. While improvements to call center effectiveness and response times are planned, consumers will no longer be required to endure long waits to report problems.
Regarding persistent financial issues, the minister identified the substantial reduction of distribution losses and outstanding consumer debts as primary objectives. Uzbekistan intends to utilize digital instruments and artificial intelligence for risk assessment, proactive maintenance, and optimizing workforce productivity.
"First and foremost, we have been instructed to develop a free market for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)," Khodjayev further noted. "The goal is to streamline distribution and remove bureaucratic hurdles for private enterprises importing LPG to supply local households and businesses."
This directive comes after a high-level video conference meeting on July 27, during which President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed key objectives for the nation's fuel and energy sector.