Turkish company Aksa Elektrik took over the management of Samarkand's grid.
Aksa Elektrik became the first private investor to take over the management of Uzbekistan's power grid, with obligations for modernization and capital investment.
Turkish company Aksa Elektrik has been awarded the management of the Samarkand region's electricity distribution networks following an international tender. This marks the first time in Uzbekistan that such infrastructure has been transferred to a private investor, with mandatory capital investments required for its development. This was reported by the O'zbekiston 24 television channel, citing an interview with Aksa Elektrik CEO Alper Erbaş.
Erbaş noted that this is a new stage for the company, one that combines pride and great responsibility. He called it a great honor to receive the right to distribute electricity in the Samarkand region at the initiative of the country's president.
He expressed gratitude to government agencies and local partners for their trust, emphasizing that Uzbekistan's energy sector has undergone a major transformation in recent years, and that reforms under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev are creating new opportunities for private business.
The head of Aksa Elektrik stated that the long-standing friendship between Uzbekistan and Turkey, as well as the close relationship between the two countries' leaders, serve as the foundation for cooperation in the energy sector. He also noted that in all its projects, the company places great importance on working with local specialists, manufacturers, and contributing to the development of the local economy.
Erbash clarified that Aksa Group has been involved in developing Uzbekistan's energy sector since 2020. The combined installed capacity of its power plants in Tashkent, Bukhara, and Talimarjan is 1,220 MW, and the electricity generated is supplied to households and industrial enterprises across the country. Aksa Elektrik will now continue this work, developing electricity distribution, modernizing networks, and strengthening distribution infrastructure using its own technologies and experience.
Erbash also emphasized that new criteria for energy reforms today are determined not only by the volume of electricity generated, but also by the amount of savings and losses prevented, as well as the efficiency of resource management.
According to him, the future of electricity and gas supply begins with a meter in every home, and the sustainability of the energy sector can only be ensured by combining capacity growth with the careful use of resources.
Earlier, Energy Minister Sherzod Khodjaev announced at a meeting with the president on fuel and energy issues that all local distribution network personnel would remain in place, and only 15 specialists would be brought in from abroad.
The investor committed to purchasing at least 90% of the equipment from domestic manufacturers and implementing 400 microprojects in mahallas within two years, under bank guarantees.
This project was part of a broader ministry presentation, which also discussed the results of the development of mahalla energy passports in 14 pilot districts and the construction of power grids in Afghanistan by Uzbek companies.