Uzbekistan approves 73 hydropower projects to add 3.6 GW by 2032

September 22, 2026 at 05:30 PM3 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Uzbekistan has approved 73 hydropower projects worth $5.8 billion to add 3.6 gigawatts of capacity by 2032, according to a presidential decree dated May 1. The plan includes 2,983 small and micro hydropower plants totaling 164 megawatts. This year alone, 13 hydropower plants are expected to add 114 megawatts and create 254 jobs.

Key Facts

The presidential decree of May 1, 2026, approves 73 hydropower projects with a total cost of $5.8 billion and additional capacity of 3.6 gigawatts by 2032.
In 2026, Uzbekistan plans to commission 13 hydropower plants, adding 114 megawatts of capacity, 537 million kilowatt-hours of annual generation, and 254 jobs.
The program includes construction of 2,983 small and micro hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 164 megawatts.
Uzbekistan's total generating capacity is targeted to reach 46.1 gigawatts by 2030 and 57.2 gigawatts by 2035, with annual generation of 129 billion and 154.7 billion kilowatt-hours respectively.
The Chorbog wind power plant in Tashkent region (20 MW) and Rabat hydropower plant in Kashkadarya region (6.2 MW) have already been commissioned.

Hydropower Expansion Program

Uzbekistan's hydropower development program through 2032 includes 73 projects with a total investment of $5.8 billion and 3.6 gigawatts of new capacity. The plan was approved by a presidential decree dated May 1, 2026, and detailed in an article by Islam Abdurakhmonov, chairman of Uzbekhydroenergo, published in Khalk Suzi on September 20, 2026. This year, 13 hydropower plants are scheduled for commissioning, adding 114 megawatts, 537 million kilowatt-hours of annual generation, and 254 jobs. The program also includes 2,983 small and micro hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 164 megawatts, with simplified procedures for plants under 100 kilowatts and auction-free construction for water management facilities under 50 kilowatts.

Recent Commissioned Projects

The Chorbog wind power plant in Bostanlyk district, Tashkent region, with 20 megawatts capacity and 50 million kilowatt-hours annual generation, was commissioned ahead of Uzbekistan's 35th independence anniversary. The Rabat hydropower plant in Kashkadarya region, with 6.2 megawatts capacity and 26.2 million kilowatt-hours annual generation, can supply about 11,000 households and saves 8 million cubic meters of natural gas and 6,700 tons of coal annually. The Zarchob-3A micro hydropower plant in Surkhandarya region (0.5 MW) and the Kugay-1 and Kugay-2 small hydropower plants on the Big Andijan Canal in Namangan region (combined 18 MW) have also been commissioned. The Kugay plants' annual generation of 132.1 million kilowatt-hours will cover about 53,000 households and save up to 40 million cubic meters of natural gas or 33,000 tons of coal per year.

National Energy Targets

Uzbekistan's total generating capacity is planned to reach 46.1 gigawatts by 2030 and 57.2 gigawatts by 2035, with annual generation of 129 billion and 154.7 billion kilowatt-hours respectively. The country's economy is targeted to reach $300 billion by 2030, with population expected to exceed 41 million, driving industrial electricity consumption from 38 to 53.5 billion kilowatt-hours. Solar and wind power capacity has already exceeded 6.3 gigawatts, and the number of hydropower plants has surpassed 100 with total capacity approaching 2.5 gigawatts. The Kish tut cascade on the Tupalang River is planned to include 42 small hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 541 megawatts and annual generation of about 1.9 billion kilowatt-hours.