The Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan, Sherzod Khodjayev, told the O’zbekiston 24 channel that Uzbekistan has provided Indian companies with the opportunity to participate as investors in five energy projects totaling $3.4 billion.
Previously, Indian companies had already worked within Uzbekistan's energy projects as contractors, and their combined portfolio exceeds $2 billion. Now, the minister stated that Uzbekistan is considering the option of directly involving these companies in financing new initiatives.
The proposed package includes the construction of high-voltage transmission lines, hydroelectric power plants, and thermal power plants. Necessary surveys are currently being conducted for the implementation of these projects.
Specifically, the construction of pumped-storage hydroelectric power plants is planned in the Karakalpakstan and Tashkent regions. Another project involves building a thermal power plant in the Suniyordon region. Additionally, Uzbekistan proposes creating a high-voltage transmission line network across the Kamchik Pass to connect the Tashkent and Namangan regions. A separate project concerns a high-voltage transmission line between the Navoi and Tashkent regions.
The projects must pay special attention to localization. Khodjayev emphasized that the majority of jobs should be provided to Uzbek citizens. It is proposed that local companies be entrusted with at least 50% of the design work, and the share of products manufactured in Uzbekistan should reach 70%.
The minister noted that Indian companies are being considered due to their experience and technical expertise in managing large-scale energy projects. Khodjayev added: 'They have the necessary experience, whereas our teams for managing such megaprojects are not yet fully formed, so their main assistance will be precisely in these areas.'