TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 28. European companies are expanding their presence in Uzbekistan’s energy sector, bringing direct investments and advanced technologies, Minister of Energy Jurabek Mirzamahmudov told local media, Trend reports.
According to the minister, leading participants include Siemens Energy, EDF, Voltalia, and TotalEnergies, which are actively involved in projects to expand Uzbekistan’s power generation capacities.
He noted that during the Global Gateway forum held in Brussels, the Ministries of Energy of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, together with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), signed memorandums of understanding to finance the Qambarota HPP-1 project. Under these agreements, the EBRD will provide $500 million, while the EIB will contribute $200 million. Work on the project has already begun.
Mirzamahmudov emphasized that cooperation with European partners is also expanding in the field of electricity network modernization, aiming to ensure efficient power transmission with minimal losses.
“These projects clearly demonstrate the confidence of major international companies in Uzbekistan’s energy policy and their commitment to long-term partnership,” the minister said.
He added that Uzbekistan has also reached agreements with Italy’s Pietro Fiorentini to modernize gas distribution systems and improve efficiency. Meanwhile, Germany’s Linde has begun construction of an air separation unit at Navoiyazot JSC, marking the company’s first direct investment in Uzbekistan.
A signing ceremony for the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Uzbekistan and the European Union took place in Brussels on October 24, in the presence of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the European Council António Costa, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The new agreement updates and significantly expands the legal framework for Uzbekistan–EU relations, replacing the 1996 Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.
