Prospective sites for the construction of 2,000 micro-hydroelectric power plants have been identified in Uzbekistan. Energy Minister Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov considers it a betrayal not to use the potential of hydropower. The President of Uzbekistan said that no one believed «when he organized the construction of a small hydroelectric power station on the Ugam River.
Energy Minister of Uzbekistan Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov said that it would be a betrayal not to use opportunities in the field of hydropower.
According to him, a program is being developed to use the potential of hydropower in the country.
«The importance of hydropower is to make efficient use of existing resources. There is the Ugam River, through which water flows, the water in it would flow anyway. The small hydroelectric power station „Ugam-1“ built here is distinguished by the fact that it can operate throughout the year, since even in winter there is a flow of water», — was noted by the head of the Ministry of Energy in an interview with the «Menimcha» program of the «Uzbekistan 24» TV channel.
Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov noted that it is more economically profitable to use the existing potential of the area instead of laying large power lines from a long distance. In addition, according to him, the construction of small hydroelectric power stations will lead to a stable supply of electricity to local facilities and a reduction in losses in the network.
On behalf of the President, a program is being developed for the construction of small and micro-hydroelectric power plants in the regions of Uzbekistan.
«Now irrigation canals are concreted, due to which the speed of water flow increases. It would be a betrayal not to use it. Therefore, there will be a separate program. The possibility of building 2,000 micro-hydroelectric power plants has been studied. During the president’s visit to the Navoi region, negotiations were held with two local entrepreneurs who are working on the production of equipment for micro-hydroelectric power plants, 100% localized, » he said.
The Minister of Water Resources of Uzbekistan Shavkat Khamraev said that promising sites for the construction of 1,000 micro-hydroelectric power plants were first identified, but after criticism their number was increased to 2,000. According to him, construction work has already begun.
At the moment, two small hydroelectric power stations have been built on the Ugam River, each of which generates income of 200 billion soums per year. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, visiting the site, noted that by reusing the water flow, the number of such stations can be increased to ten.
«When I organized this, no one believed it. There were no such things. Small dam. Money from a place where there was nothing. 200 billion soums per year. It’s just one [station]. If it is 10, then 2 trillion soums. Who will give us [such money]?» — noted the head of state.
Chairman of the Board of «Uzbekhydroenergo» Abdugani Sanginov told the President that in 2025 it is planned to implement 11 new projects, including 10 hydroelectric power plants with a total capacity of 225 MW, which will produce 1.2 billion kWh of electricity.
There are 25 hydroelectric power plants operating in the Tashkent region with a total capacity of 1,330 MW, which is 60% of the country’s total hydropower capacity. Currently, construction of four more hydroelectric power stations is underway with a total capacity of 340 MW and a cost of $880 million. By 2028, it is planned to implement 23 projects with a total capacity of about 2,400 MW worth $4.8 billion. The capacity of the small hydroelectric power station «Ugam-1» is 1.48 MW, which allows the annual production of 11.8 million kWh of electricity.
«Newspaper.uz»
