President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on the draft State Program for the “Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy.
Over the past three years, 16 large solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 3.5 gigawatts have been commissioned in various regions, alongside the construction of 35 small hydropower plants. The industrial sector has implemented a system for issuing “green energy” certificates. More than 60,000 homes have installed solar panels. Under the “Yashil Makon” program, annual landscaping efforts are conducted, and water resources are used rationally. The year 2025 has been declared the Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy in Uzbekistan. A draft state program has been developed, undergoing public discussion for a month. Over 11 million citizens reviewed the document, and more than 100 key proposals were included in the program. UN structures and other organizations have expressed their readiness to cooperate in implementing the program.
Due to active efforts in recent years, the share of “green” energy in the country’s total capacity structure has reached 16%. This year, the target is to increase this to 26%. To achieve this, 16 additional large solar and wind power plants with a capacity of 3.5 gigawatts, five large hydropower plants with a capacity of 160 megawatts, and energy storage capacities of 1.8 gigawatts will be commissioned. The President has also instructed the development of additional projects with a capacity of 1 gigawatt. 2 trillion soums in loans will be allocated for the installation of solar panels at state enterprises, industrial and service complexes, and residential homes. Moreover, the use of heat pumps will be expanded in kindergartens, schools, and hospitals. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance were instructed to develop a program aimed at reducing costs by 15-20% and increasing value-added production through energy efficiency.
The President emphasized the need to transition to a resource-saving economic model. For example, in the electrical, automotive, pharmaceutical, and food industries, the added value per ton of energy consumed is 15-20 times higher than in the chemical, construction, and textile sectors. Efforts will focus on developing low-energy, high-value-added industries and promoting resource-saving practices in energy-intensive sectors. Energy audits and the implementation of saving technologies will be conducted at 400 major enterprises with high energy consumption.
15% of production and infrastructure projects this year will be eco-friendly, with this figure rising to 30% by 2027 and 55% by 2030. Support for low-carbon projects will include $300 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank, and other organizations. For energy complexes, equipment and components worth $4 billion will be produced domestically, increasing the “green component” in major projects from 25% to 31%.
Under the “Yashil Makon” program, 200 million trees are planted annually. Over the past three years, 698 gardens and 316 public parks have been created. Additionally, green areas covering approximately 2 million hectares have been established on the dried-up Aral Sea bed.
This year, 18 specialized forestry enterprises will be created to grow seedlings. Efforts will also be strengthened in seed breeding, establishing seed laboratories, intensive experimental plots, and “mother” plantations. These enterprises are expected to grow 123 million seedlings this year. The “Yashil Olam” platform will launch, allowing users to purchase seedlings online.
Businesses that green their premises and use environmentally friendly equipment and materials in production will receive “green entrepreneur” status. This will be reflected in the entrepreneur rating, and such businesses will receive support in obtaining “green certificates” and finding new markets.
