Thermal power plants account for 86% of electricity generated in Uzbekistan, while the demand for electricity in the country to double by 2030, Muhammadjon Bekmuhammedov, the spokesman to Thermal Power Plants JSC said speaking about the measures take to increase production.
He added that in 10 months of 2020, the country produced 48.5 billion kWh of electricity, which is by 5% more than the planned and by 7.5% more than the same period last year.
“In 2019, thermal power plants in Uzbekistan generated 56.4 billion kWh of electricity. Despite the generated amounts increasing by 20% compared to 2015, the demand for electricity is expected to double by 2030 due to the growing needs of the economy and households.
Although it is envisaged to build a nuclear power plant and alternative energy power plants to meet the demand, the main burden falls on the TPPs.
A total of 1,177 MW of new production capacity will have been commissioned by the end of 2020 as part of investment projects. To date, 805 MW of these power units have been commissioned.
These are the second 450 MW steam-gas plant at Turakurgan TPP, the first 280 MW steam-gas plant at Takhiatash TPP, and the capacity of Unit 6 of Syrdarya TPP has been increased to 75 MW. The remaining 375 MW is planned to be commissioned by the end of the year.
The share of thermal power plants in the total electricity generation in the country is about 86%.
"According to the "Concept of electricity supply of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2020-2030”, approved by the Ministry of Energy, 70 billion kWh of electricity will be generated in 2030," said the official.
According to Bekmuhammedov, a US$ 678.2 million project is being implemented at the Takhiatash TPP with the participation of the South Korean Hyundai consortium for the construction of two steam and gas units with a capacity of 280 MW each.
“The first steam-gas unit is currently operating in test mode. The second unit will also be launched in the coming days.
Instead of the 430.3 grams of fuel used to generate 1 kW of current at the plant, the new unit will require 266 grams for 1 kWh. This, in turn, will save 488.6 million cubic meters of gas per year.
