Uzbekistan explains discrepancy in electricity generation data

The Ministry of Energy and the National Committee on Statistics of Uzbekistan have presented divergent figures regarding electricity generation volume for the first nine months of 2026. The discrepancy found between the data of the two agencies amounts to approximately 2.4 billion kilowatt-hours.

Economist Otabek Bakirov noted the need for clarification from the relevant agencies regarding this divergence. A correspondent from Podrobno.uz requested comments from the Ministry of Energy to determine the probable cause of the differences in the reported figures.

According to information provided by the National Committee on Statistics, 67.16 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity were produced in the country from January to September. However, the Ministry of Energy reported a higher figure—69.6 billion kilowatt-hours for the same period, resulting in a difference of about 2.44 billion kilowatt-hours.

Previously, it was suggested that the discrepancy might be due to the agencies accounting for different groups of producers. Specifically, the Ministry of Energy separately provides information on generation carried out by small solar installations and power plants.

Explanation of Discrepancies

In response to Podrobno.uz's inquiry, the Ministry of Energy's press service suggested that the National Committee on Statistics may not have accounted for energy generated by small rooftop solar stations installed on building roofs. According to the Ministry of Energy, these installations alone produced 2.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity from January to September.

This figure was also stated at the Ministry of Energy briefing on October 20, which covered the results of electricity production and supply for nine months. At this event, the agency specified that small-capacity solar panels generated 2.5 billion kilowatt-hours, while this figure amounted to two billion kilowatt-hours for the entire year 2025.

Thus, the volume of generation from small solar stations almost entirely corresponds to the difference observed between the data of the two state structures. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Energy indicated this as only one possible explanation for the existing discrepancy.

According to data from the National Statistical Committee of Uzbekistan, between January and September 2026, Uzbekistan produced 67,159.5 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. This figure demonstrates a 7.3% increase compared to the same period last year.

Meanwhile, electricity generation by large enterprises decreased by 1.5%, amounting to 44,402.6 million kWh, whereas 45,100.5 million kWh was produced in the corresponding period of 2025.

In contrast, small businesses whose main activity is related to electricity production increased their capacity by 30.3%. The output of such enterprises rose from 17,464.7 million kWh to 22,756.9 million kWh.

In the thermal energy sector, large enterprises recorded a production drop of 19.3%, reducing it from 14,423.8 thousand gigacalories (Gcal) to 11,639.9 thousand Gcal.

Furthermore, the total volume of industrial production in Uzbekistan for the first nine months of 2026 reached 1,085.7 trillion soum, reflecting an increase of 8.1% compared to the same period last year.