Uzbekistan increases winter gas consumption norm for households to 500 cubic meters

In November 2026, Uzbekistan will provide a one-time financial support of 1 million soums to low-income families who meet the criteria. This measure is introduced as part of the expansion of social protection for the 2026/2027 heating season, according to a presidential decree.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed this decree on October 28, 2026. It provides for additional support measures for vulnerable households against the backdrop of the country's gradual transition to market mechanisms in the fuel and energy sector.

The decree establishes the possibility of direct cash payments, expands the selection criteria for state assistance, and extends existing programs for compensating household energy costs. The main recipients of the one-time payment will be families included in the Social Register.

Households not registered in the system can also apply for assistance if they meet the established financial requirements, which are determined after an assessment conducted by the local 'mahalla seven' body.

Criteria for receiving aid

General selection conditions require that the average per capita income of the household does not exceed twice the threshold of minimum consumer expenses. However, there are separate limits for families living in apartment buildings connected to centralized heating systems.

In the regions of Karakalpakstan and Uzbekistan, the maximum permissible income is double the threshold of minimum consumer expenses per person. In Tashkent, this limit is increased to three times this threshold.

The decree also allows financially vulnerable families whose income exceeds these limits to receive aid, provided their applications are approved by the district or city administrations responsible for creating sustainable employment and increasing household incomes.

Other eligible individuals include elderly people living alone and people with disabilities who require assistance from others and are included in the relevant register. Financial aid is also extended to families raising orphans and children deprived of parental care.

Expansion of existing social support measures

In addition to the November payments, the decree increases the allowable threshold for average per capita income to receive compensation for electricity and natural gas costs—it has been raised from 1.5 to twice the minimum consumer expenses level. A similar increase has occurred for the income criterion related to assistance in purchasing coal, which is now up to twice the minimum consumer expenses level.

The same adjustment applies to the financial support provided through the 'Sahovat va Kumak' fund. Funds from this fund can be used to repay utility debts, cover current household expenses, and purchase fuel.

Furthermore, the decree extends the validity of several existing social protection measures aimed at reducing the financial burden of energy costs for vulnerable groups. Compensation covering the difference between basic and higher tariffs for electricity and natural gas will be available until April 1, 2028.

Financial aid intended for partial compensation of coal purchase costs has been extended until January 1, 2029. These measures are designed to increase the number of low-income households receiving state support and mitigate the consequences of Uzbekistan's gradual transition to market tariffs for energy resources. The decree combines urgent winter aid with long-term compensation mechanisms, providing financial support to needy families throughout the process of changing the country's pricing system.

Uzbekistan has put forward a proposal to increase the basic monthly electricity consumption norm from 200 to 350 kWh for residents in areas lacking gas connection or where natural gas supply is unstable.

This proposal is based on an analysis of actual electricity consumption during the winter period, as well as existing social support measures. Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Khurshid Mustafayev presented this initiative at a press conference on October 14 dedicated to planned tariff changes and household support during the autumn-winter period.

Mustafayev noted that two main aspects were taken into account when preparing the proposal. Firstly, the existing mechanism for assisting low-income families was considered. Under this scheme, the Social Protection Agency compensates eligible households for the difference between the basic and increased tariffs for an additional 150 kWh above the current norm of 200 kWh, allowing these families to pay the basic tariff for this extra volume.

Secondly, an analysis of winter electricity consumption in areas without gas connections was conducted. The data presented showed that about 60% of households in such zones consume up to 300 kWh per month in winter. Based on this analysis, the authorities proposed setting the basic norm at 350 kWh.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance reports that approximately 4 million households in Uzbekistan are not connected to gas networks and use alternative sources, including liquefied petroleum gas cylinders. In some other places, centralized gas supply is unreliable due to pressure drops or temporary supply interruptions observed during the heating season.

To identify such zones, the authorities analyzed gas supply data for households from December 2, 2025, to March 13, 2026. The proposed increased norm will apply not only in areas without gas connection but also where there are disruptions in natural gas supply.

A previous option of setting the norm at 500 kWh was discussed, but no separate estimates of potential budgetary expenditures for this level were provided at the press conference.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev approved this proposal on October 6. The draft government resolution was published for public discussion on October 13. An analysis prepared by the authorities, covering the period from September 2025 to August 2026, showed that during the heating season, the share of consumers without gas supply using more than 200 kWh of electricity per month increases from approximately 25% to 39%. Meanwhile, the share of households consuming up to 200 kWh decreases from 74% to 61%; the share of those consuming from 201 to 350 kWh increases from 17% to 19%, and the share of consumers in the 351–500 kWh range grows from 5% to 9%, while the share of those consuming over 500 kWh increases from 3% to 10%.

The number of households connected to gas networks but experiencing difficulties in receiving gas also varies greatly depending on supply conditions. According to official data, during the period from December 2, 2025, to March 17, 2026, this number fluctuated from about 5,000 on some days to 607,000 on others.

The proposed increase will lead to a reduction in the tariff for monthly consumption in the range of 201 to 350 kWh from 900 soms to 650 soms per kWh, which is a decrease of almost 28%. The authorities predict that the new norm will cover about 80% of consumers in areas without gas connection. Over 1.5 million consumers could save a total of about 171 billion soms during the heating season, with the average savings estimated at approximately 27,500 soms per household per month.

For households consuming 250 kWh per month, bills will decrease by 12,500 soms; for consumption of 300 kWh, savings will reach 25,000 soms; and for consumption of 350 kWh, it will be 37,500 soms.

It is proposed that the increased norm comes into effect on November 1, 2026, for the heating season. In Karakalpakstan and Khorezm region, it will be valid from October to February, and in other regions—from November to February. Regional administrations will approve lists of households facing gas supply problems based on proposals from the Uzenergoinspection, Khududgazt'aminot, and Regional Electric Grids.

Furthermore, the authorities had previously proposed one-time payments of 1 million soms in November to over 1 million needy families. It is also planned to expand the criteria for receiving compensation covering electricity, gas, and coal expenses, as well as extend these payments.