Uzbekistan, France seek to expand energy cooperation

Uzbekistan and France discussed how to advance current energy projects and broaden cooperation in renewable energy, traditional power generation, and the oil and gas sector. Uzbek Energy Minister Sherzod Khodjaev met with French Ambassador to Uzbekistan Walid Fouque on September 10 to examine bilateral cooperation in energy and projects involving French companies.

At the meeting, both sides highlighted the growth of Uzbekistan-France cooperation in several fields, including energy, where French companies are already involved in major projects. The talks focused on three power generation projects carried out with French companies in different parts of Uzbekistan.

French energy company TotalEnergies took part in the development of a 100 MW solar photovoltaic power plant in the Samarkand region. Another 100 MW solar photovoltaic facility was put into operation in the Khorezm region with Voltalia. Cooperation with French companies also covers conventional power generation. A 1,573 MW thermal power plant in the Syrdarya region was implemented jointly with EDF.

Khodjaev and Fouque also reviewed the current status and future prospects of projects involving French companies in Uzbekistan. The discussions included conventional and renewable energy, as well as the oil and gas industry.

Special emphasis was placed on speeding up the implementation of existing initiatives and identifying additional areas for bilateral cooperation in energy. After the meeting, Uzbekistan and France agreed to keep moving forward with joint energy projects, deepen existing cooperation and explore further opportunities for collaboration in the sector.