Uzbekistan will raise electricity and natural gas rates for both households and legal entities starting June 1. The government resolution authorising the hikes was enacted on May 15, exactly 15 days before the new pricing takes effect. On average, consumer utility rates will increase by approximately 9.9%. Gazeta previously reported on the planned price adjustments in late April.

During a press briefing on May 14, officials of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Energy explained that the tariff adjustments are driven primarily by aging energy infrastructure. They noted that substantial capital must be mobilized to modernize power grids and substations, as well as to construct new transmission lines.

A government decree passed last year established a permanent mechanism starting in 2026 to annually adjust energy prices on May 1 to keep pace with inflation, capping any single increase at 10%. This latest hike outpaces the current annual inflation rate, which stood at 7% in April relative to April 2025.

Revenue generated from the higher tariffs will be strictly funneled into upgrading electricity and gas networks, refurbishing substations, and developing new utility corridors. Ministry officials reiterated that these investments are vital to reinforce grid reliability in the face of surging domestic consumption, which has been accelerated by the widespread adoption of air conditioners, household appliances, and electric vehicles.

How Price Will Change

Prices per kWh of electricity for residential consumers will be adjusted as follows:

• Up to 200 kWh: Increases from 600 to 650 soums per kWh (+8.3%)
• 201–500 kWh: Increases from 800 to 900 soums (+12.5%)
• 501–1,000 kWh: Increases from 1,000 to 1,100 soums (+10.0%)
• 1,001–5,000 kWh: Increases from 1,500 to 1,600 soums (+6.7%)
• 5,001–10,000 kWh: Increases from 1,750 to 1,900 soums (+8.6%)
• Over 10,000 kWh: Increases from 2,000 to 2,200 soums (+10.0%)

For households equipped with electric stoves, tariffs remain at 50% of the base rate:

• Up to 200 kWh per month: Increases from 300 to 325 soums per kWh (+8.3%)
• 201–500 kWh: Increases from 400 to 450 soums (+12.5%)
• 501–1,000 kWh: Increases from 500 to 550 soums (+10.0%)
• 1,001–5,000 kWh: Increases from 750 to 800 soums (+6.7%)
• 5,001–10,000 kWh: Increases from 875 to 950 soums (+8.6%)
• Over 10,000 kWh: Increases from 1,000 to 1,100 soums (+10.0%)

Price per cubic meter of natural gas supplied to households during the winter heating season (November to February) will rise:

• Up to 500 cubic meters (or up to 100 cubic meters during the non-heating season): Increases from 1,000 to 1,100 soums per cubic meter (+10.0%)
• 501–2,500 cubic meters (heating season): Increases from 1,800 to 2,000 soums (+11.1%)
• 2,501–5,000 cubic meters: Increases from 2,100 to 2,300 soums (+9.5%)
• 5,001–10,000 cubic meters: Increases from 2,500 to 2,700 soums (+8.0%)
• Over 10,000 cubic meters: Increases from 3,000 to 3,300 soums (+10.0%)

Prices for legal entities, including commercial enterprises, will adjust as follows:

• Electricity: Increases from 1,000 to 1,100 soums per kWh (+10.0%)
• Natural Gas: Increases from 1,800 to 2,000 soums per cubic meter (+11.1%)
• CNG Stations (Automotive Gas): Increases from 2,500 to 2,750 soums per cubic meter (+10.0%)

For households using gas stoves without meters who pay a flat unmetered rate, the tariffs will be adjusted:

• Cooking and Hot Water: Increases from 1,800 to 2,000 soums per cubic meter (+11.1%)
• Home Heating: Increases from 1,400 to 1,550 soums (+10.7%)

Support for Socially Vulnerable Segments of the Population

The compensations, which were also issued in previous years, are intended to cover expenses for the portion of consumed energy that exceeds the established social norm.

For electricity, the state is prepared to pay for up to 150 kWh above the baseline norm. For gas, the compensation limit will amount to up to 250 cubic meters above the norm during the heating season—from November to February—and up to 150 cubic meters during the rest of the year.

A representative of the Ministry of Economy and Finance stated that funds have already been allocated in the state budget for the uninterrupted operation of this mechanism.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance said that a special cash compensation mechanism has been provided to protect socially vulnerable segments of the population from the consequences of rising energy tariffs. The payments will be carried out through the National Agency for Social Protection.

On May 1, 2024, electricity and gas prices were raised in Uzbekistan for the first time in five years—since August 2019—and social consumption norms were introduced. The base tariff on electricity for the population within the social norm rose from 295 to 450 soums per 1 kWh (+52.5%), and for gas—from 380 to 650 soums per 1 cubic meter (+71%). The next tariff increase occurred a year later—from May 1, 2025. The base cost of electricity rose by another 33.3% to 600 soums per 1 kWh, and the cost of gas—by 53.8% to 1,000 soums per cubic meter.