Plan to build nearly 3,000 small and micro hydropower plants to be accelerated
The plan to expand the network of small and micro hydroelectric power plants in Uzbekistan is being revised: out of nearly 3,000 planned projects, 64 have been launched so far. The President has set tasks to attract private investment in the sector and accelerate projects.
On August 19, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed the presentation of the next measures aimed at developing the network of small and micro hydroelectric power stations.
According to the resolution adopted last year, it was planned to build about 3 thousand small and micro hydroelectric power stations with a total capacity of 164 megawatts with the participation of the private sector. So far, 64 projects have been launched, with a total capacity of 41.6 megawatts. This is only a quarter of the planned capacity. Out of about 3 thousand planned projects, initiators have been identified for only 932. It was also noted that the use of preferential resources of $ 150 million allocated by the World Bank is also slow.
It was noted that entrepreneurs and investors have many questions regarding the construction of stations and the conditions for selling the generated electricity. In this regard, it was proposed to set the minimum tariff for the purchase of electricity at auctions along with the initial cost of the project, as well as to differentiate tariffs depending on the power of the plant. This will solve the problem of projects that were awarded at a "zero" price, but were not implemented, and create clear and stable conditions for investors.
Also, the design and construction of micro hydroelectric power plants up to 100 kilowatts will be carried out in a simplified manner. Projects up to 50 kilowatts will be exempted from the examination of urban planning documentation and state architectural and construction supervision. Changes to the design of canals, rivers and riverbeds will be allowed in order to create additional water pressure. The possibility of constructing small and micro hydroelectric power plants for their own needs without an auction will also be created at water management facilities.
A digital platform will be introduced that will cover the processes from identifying suitable sites for projects to their commissioning and operation. At the same time, a unified methodological manual for design, construction and operation, as well as a procedure for implementing projects with the participation of the private sector, will be developed.
Another pressing issue in the sector is the high level of dependence on imports. Currently, 90 percent of the necessary hydropower units and components for small and micro hydroelectric power plants are imported from abroad. In this regard, the importance of using the experience of Uzbekgidroenergo JSC, which has built 46 small and micro hydroelectric power plants, and providing entrepreneurs with comprehensive services in design, construction and installation work and equipment supply was emphasized. A clear list of units and components that can be localized will be formed and proposals will be made to entrepreneurs and investors for their production in our country.
The total length of the river and canal network is more than 173 thousand kilometers. The presentation noted the great potential for the construction of small and micro hydroelectric power plants in concreted canals. The authorities were tasked with conducting a complete inventory of such facilities and identifying a reserve of additional projects.
In general, by 2030, it is planned to increase the capacity of such plants to 204.8 megawatts and produce 620 million kilowatt-hours of environmentally friendly electricity per year. This will provide 350 thousand households with "green" energy, save 187 million cubic meters of natural gas per year, and prevent the emission of 311 thousand tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Also, from the new academic year, a dual education system will be introduced to train highly qualified personnel in small-capacity "green" energy areas. Energy enterprises, including small hydropower facilities, will be designated as practice bases for students.
The Head of State gave specific instructions to the authorities to accelerate the implementation of the identified projects, attract large-scale private investment in the sector, effectively use financial resources, localize equipment, and train qualified personnel.