Alarm bells are sounding across Central Asia as Uzbekistan accelerates a green-energy push that could redraw its entire economic map. From raging rivers to expanding wind corridors, the nation is rapidly diversifying away from fossil fuels toward hydropower, wind, and solar, driven by home-grown technology and a bold reform agenda. In a snapshot of momentum, July 2025 alone saw solar, wind and hydroelectric plants generating 2.89 billion kWh, about 27% of that month’s total output and enough to power roughly 870,000 households. Behind the headline numbers are more than 20 large-scale projects, with nearly five gigawatts of capacity already commissioned and in operation, signaling a concerted shift toward energy independence and a more sustainable economy.
Hydropower remains the backbone of Uzbekistan’s green transition. The country now runs 77 hydro plants with a combined capacity of 2.3 GW, and plans to double capacity by 2030 under presidential decrees that also promote small and mini hydropower sites—more than 2,000 such projects are in the pipeline, inviting private households and small businesses to participate. A landmark achievement is the Naryn Hydropower Cascade. The first plant, Naryn HPP-1, became fully operational in September 2025 after formal construction began in March 2024. It can generate 171 million kWh annually, power about 430,000 households, and save around 290 million cubic metres of natural gas each year (roughly €21 million). The project also showcases engineering innovation: the use of horizontal capsule-type hydro units and an artificial hydraulic system that enables power generation even from relatively flat terrain.
Naryn HPP-1 marks a turning point because it is the first hydropower plant built and designed domestically, with major components produced at the Uzhydropower Joint Venture in the Bostanlik district. The entire process—from design to equipment production—has moved fully into Uzbek hands, underscoring a broader push to localize advanced energy manufacturing. The era of relying on external suppliers for critical equipment is giving way to a homegrown capability that supports local jobs and price stability in electricity pricing.
If hydropower anchors the program, wind energy completes the spectrum of ambition. The country has identified a theoretical wind potential exceeding 520,000 MW and has signed PPAs and MoUs with investors from Saudi Arabia, China and Europe to convert this potential into real capacity. The Charvak Wind Power Plant, a 20 MW project in the Bostanlik district, is under construction with a €25.8 million grant from China’s Xinjiang Department of Commerce. Once online, it is expected to deliver about 50 million kWh annually, supply clean power to roughly 20,000 households, save about 14 million cubic metres of natural gas, and create regional jobs.
These renewables are part of Uzbekistan’s broader “Uzbekistan–2030” strategy, aiming to lift the share of renewables in electricity generation to 54% by 2030. All current solar, wind, and storage projects are pursuing direct investments and public–private partnerships with electricity purchases guaranteed for 20–25 years, providing investor confidence. Between 2020 and 2024, clean electricity output rose from about 5 billion kWh to 13.1 billion kWh, illustrating not only a cleaner energy profile but also a technology-driven economic transformation.
