Two waste-to-energy plants are planned to be launched in Uzbekistan by the end of the year

Two waste-to-energy plants are planned to be launched in Uzbekistan by the end of the year

In 2026–2027, Uzbekistan intends to implement six projects for electricity generation through waste incineration with the participation of companies from China. Their combined value is 933 million dollars. This was announced on September 10 during a presentation to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

According to the authorities, 286.8 million dollars had already been invested in these projects by September 1. The volume of purchases of domestic goods and services reached 76.6 million dollars. Around 2,000 local workers are employed in the construction works.

The projects will be implemented in the Kashkadarya, Samarkand, Tashkent, Andijan, Fergana, and Namangan regions. The plants in the Kashkadarya and Samarkand regions are scheduled to be commissioned in 2026, and the rest in 2027.

Once the enterprises reach full capacity, they will be able to process 3.6 million tons of municipal solid waste per year and produce 1.6 billion kWh of electricity.

This is expected to reduce the load on landfills and expand opportunities for a gradual transition to the "zero waste" principle.

Sharifbek Hasanov, Director of the Waste Management and Circular Economy Development Agency, said in an interview with the Uzbekistan 24 TV channel that the president had approved the construction of six plants last year.

"Two plants will be launched by the end of this year and will start producing the electrical energy needed by our population. The presentation was held regarding the construction of five more such plants in five of our regions and attracting new investments into the economy. Five plants worth 625 million dollars will be launched at the end of 2027, and with this, we will achieve the production of 635 million kWh of electrical energy," he said.

Five investment projects are presented by companies from Singapore, South Korea, and China. Their total value is 625 million dollars. They are planned to be implemented in Karakalpakstan, and the Jizzakh, Surxondaryo, Bukhara, and Khorezm regions.

After launch, these projects will allow for the annual processing of an additional 1.9 million tons of municipal solid waste and the production of 635 million kWh of electricity. In addition, it is planned to create 500 new jobs, save 158 million cubic meters of natural gas per year, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 316,000 tons.

"One might think that waste incineration plants could again cause harm to people through burning, but they will be launched as environmentally friendly plants. After the construction of the plants in our eco-industrial zones is completed, we will also invite our population there," Sharifbek Hasanov noted.

According to him, other opportunities for economic growth are also envisioned.

"After incineration, ash is formed at the plant. Our investors also envision processing this ash to create added value, processing it in Uzbekistan, and exporting it to their country. This will also create an additional export base for us," Sharifbek Hasanov said.

These measures will also align with the goal of reducing landfills by 50%.

"In the eco-industrial zones, we cover all our regions for receiving and incinerating waste, meaning that the amount of waste going to landfills will be reduced by 40%. And we will send the remaining waste for recycling and, by developing recycling, we will prevent our waste from entering landfills in the future," Sharifbek Hasanov noted.

According to him, instructions have already been set for the future to establish gardens and parks on the sites of these landfills.

In October 2024, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, speaking about projects for processing municipal waste and producing electricity and products from it, called this sector "not just plants, but one of the fateful issues." In March 2025, he signed a decree on the implementation of projects for electricity production through the incineration of municipal solid waste.

One of these projects is being implemented in Samarkand jointly with the Chinese company Shanghai SUS Environment. The SUS Environment Samarkand plant is being built on the territory of the central landfill in the Navruz mahalla of the Khushrav array: 15 hectares out of the 100-hectare landfill area have been allocated for the project. The first stone in the foundation of the enterprise was laid on July 18, 2025, and construction is currently ongoing.

Waste-to-energy plants operate using the technology of thermal processing of industrial and municipal solid waste in boilers or furnaces. The heat generated during combustion is used to produce thermal and electrical energy.