There will be gas, but it will be more expensive
Gas under new rules: Uzbekistan changes its population supply system
There will be gas, but more expensive
Uzbekistan is preparing a large-scale reform of the liquefied gas market: supplies to the population will be prioritized, a significant portion of volumes will go through the exchange, and private business will be more actively allowed into the sector. At the same time, the state intends to maintain support for socially vulnerable families.
One of the key elements of the new system will be the creation of a separate company under JSC "Hududgazta'minot" — LLC "LPG-Trade". It will handle the supply of liquefied gas and will effectively become one of the important links in the updated supply model.
The main principle of the reform is to meet the needs of the population. Supplies of liquefied gas to citizens must be prioritized over other areas of fuel sales. This is particularly important for areas where there is no stable connection to centralized gas networks and bottled gas remains a significant source of energy for households.
At the same time, the mechanism for selling fuel will also change. Domestically produced liquefied gas and imported volumes are expected to be sold through the exchange. The exception will be fuel intended for the suppliers' own retail outlets. In this way, the authorities hope to make the movement of gas in the market more transparent and gradually establish a clear pricing mechanism.
Enterprises supplying the population will have the opportunity to independently choose their source of purchase. They will be able to acquire liquefied gas through exchange trading or enter into transactions directly with importers. This scheme should expand the number of suppliers and reduce the system's dependence on a single supply channel.
Another important direction is the gradual strengthening of the role of private business. The state intends to create a competitive environment in the sector and eventually phase out cross-subsidization, where the expenses of one category of consumers are effectively compensated at the expense of another.
At the same time, the transition to a more market-oriented model does not mean the complete abandonment of the state's social function. Financial support is provided for vulnerable categories of the population. As a result, the authorities of Uzbekistan are trying to solve two problems simultaneously: to make the liquefied gas market more competitive and transparent, while maintaining protection for families for whom the rising cost of fuel could become a significant burden on their budget.
In fact, this is not just about creating a new company, but about restructuring the entire chain — from the purchase and import of liquefied gas to its sale to the end consumer.