The President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has set a goal to increase the capacity of solar and wind power plants in Uzbekistan to 8,000 MW by 2026, the presidential press service said. Previously, this figure was planned to be reached by 2030.

At a meeting dedicated to the use and development of renewable energy sources (RES) on November 22, he underscored that the construction of new solar and wind power plants would require components and materials worth almost US$ 6 billion. The head of state instructed to develop a program for the localization of these products in order to reduce the cost of projects, as well as create a market for domestic enterprises.

Next year, it is planned to build 5 solar power plants with a total capacity of 900 MW in Khorezm, Bukhara, Kashkadarya, Namangan and Fergana provinces. The President instructed to give priority attention to these projects and ensure their timely launch.

In 2022-2024, it is planned to build 10 solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of about 3,000 MW through US$ 3 billion in direct foreign investments.

The President instructed the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Energy to develop new projects in cooperation with international financial organizations.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed the need for large industrial enterprises to develop renewable energy sources for their own supply. He also noted the importance of stimulating the use of RES by the population and businesses.

More than 1,000 engineers and nearly 3,000 mid-level workers will be needed to operate the new power plants. Emphasizing that work in this area must be started now, the President gave instructions to create a special training center in Navoi and update the curricula of universities taking into account modern requirements. It is planned to train 300 specialists annually in training centers in Navoi and Syrdarya.

Uzbekistan’s renewable energy sources development strategy was presented at the meeting, the statement said.

In May 2019, Uzbekistan adopted the Use of Renewable Energy Sources Law.

In August of this year, the country's first solar photovoltaic station was launched in the Navoi province. Another such station will be commissioned next month in Samarkand.

At the recent climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland, Uzbekistan announced its intention to reduce its specific greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP by 35% by 2030.