Electricity generation in Uzbekistan increased by 7.3% to reach 60.5 billion kWh

According to the first half of 2026 results, the average monthly wage in Uzbekistan reached 7.1 million soums. Furthermore, real wages showed an increase of 10.9% compared to the same period last year, which is the highest growth rate in recent years.

According to the labor market review prepared by the Central Bank, nominal labor remuneration for the period from January to June increased by 18.4% year-on-year. However, the growth in real incomes is due not to an increase in salaries themselves, but to the slowdown in inflationary processes. By July 1, 2026, the gap between nominal and real growth narrowed to 7.5%.

Sectors with the Highest Salary Growth

The most dynamic salary growth was observed in the transport and storage sectors (growth rate of 22.8%), social services (20.2%), and construction (19.9%). The highest average salaries continue to be recorded in the finance and insurance sectors (19.1 million soums), as well as in the information technology and communications sector (17.4 million soums).

The lowest levels of pay were recorded in agriculture (3.5 million soums) and in the social services sector (4.7 million soums).

Regional Growth Indicators

According to the report, the most significant growth in real income was recorded in Jizzakh region (13.3%), Namangan region (11.8%), and Tashkent (10.7%) during the second quarter.

In Tashkent region, real wages grew by 10.5%, while in Kashkadarya region, the growth was 9.7%, in Samarkand region—9.5%, in Bukhara region—9.4%, in Syrdarya region—9.3%, in Navoi region—9.0%, and in Khorezm region—8.8%. In Karakalpakstan and Surkhandarya regions, the growth reached 8.6%, and in Fergana region—8.5%. The most modest indicator was noted in Andijan region (7.9%).

The Central Bank notes that in 2026, the growth of real wages became more balanced because it was observed in all regions, and the growth rates became less divergent compared to previous years. The regulator also emphasizes that salary growth has stabilized in high-paying sectors, while acceleration occurred in some low-paying sectors (agriculture and social services), which, according to the Central Bank, indicates a gradual reduction in wealth disparity.

Additionally, a new method of accounting for employment and unemployment is being introduced in Uzbekistan, which involves collecting information on citizens' income and employment from various state sources, including tax, labor, and migration databases.

Electricity consumption in Uzbekistan's industrial sector is projected to increase by approximately 40% by 2030. The consumption volume will rise from 38 to 53.5 billion kilowatt-hours. This additional load on the energy system will be driven by the development of electric transport and data centers.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on the prospects for power industry development, provided by the president's press service. It was noted that the current capacity of solar and wind stations already exceeds 6.3 gigawatts, and the number of hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) has surpassed 100, reaching a capacity of about 2.5 gigawatts.

According to approved plans, generating capacity should reach 46.1 gigawatts by 2030, ensuring the production of about 129 billion kilowatt-hours. More ambitious goals have been set for 2035: capacity should grow to 57.2 gigawatts, and output to 154.7 billion kilowatt-hours.

As part of the plan implementation, 26 energy storage system projects with a total capacity of 4.2 gigawatts have been formed, 17 of which are already under implementation. By 2030, the construction of nine 220-kilovolt substations and seven 500-kilovolt substations is planned, along with the laying of nearly five thousand kilometers of new power lines. In Karakalpakstan, the possibility of connecting wind farms with one-gigawatt data centers is being considered.

The President emphasized the need to develop plans that account for high rates of economic growth, as well as ensuring an adequate reserve of capacity. A new project management methodology has been proposed: first, the required demand is determined, then the necessary infrastructure and capacity are planned, and only after that is the investor selected through a competitive selection process.

The distribution of responsibilities between agencies is defined as follows: the Ministry of Economy and Finance will handle demand forecasting, the Ministry of Energy will develop the strategy, and the agency for energy market development and regulation will oversee tariffs. Furthermore, a long-term concept for the fuel and energy complex development until 2050 is provided, with mandatory review every five years.

At the meeting, the President was shown changes in the country's transport network. It is planned that by 2030, the volume of transport services will double, 9.1 billion dollars in investment will be attracted to the industry, and the export of transport services will reach 5.7 billion dollars.