Alexandr Akimov1; Gulhayo Nusratova2; Alfinura Sharafeyeva3; 1 Griffith University, Australia; 2 University of Liverpool, UK; 3 Santos, Australia
Discussion
Since Independence in 1991, Uzbekistan has largely maintained the electricity system inherited upon dissolution of Soviet Union including fossil-fuel dominated generation mix, electricity grid and as well as state-owned management and regulation of the system. Rapid economic growth accompanied by fast growth of electricity consumption of late 2010s has exposed the magnitude of accumulated problems in the sector leading to electricity shortages and blackouts. This prompted country leadership to develop a strategy and start taking actions to ensure that future economic growth is supported. The necessity of taking climate action, and abundance of renewable resources (particularly solar), ensured that renewable energy is right and center of the plan. Deregulation and transition to renewable energy is a complex process considering that most of renewable energy is intermittent. This paper examines Uzbekistan’s reform in electricity sector to-date. It allows focuses on key sticking points in the energy transition, where Uzbekistan could learn from the experience of other countries, such as Australia.
