TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 10. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) handed over modern equipment and software for energy sector management worth $1.4 million to the Energy Coordination and Dispatch Center (CDC) in Tashkent, Trend reports.
The official handover ceremony displayed the latest technology, which will enable ECC dispatchers to display up-to-date information to maintain the region's energy regime.
This investment will enhance Central Asia's ability to manage and control power flows to ensure the stability of the power grid and facilitate regional power trading opportunities. It will also modernize Energy CDC's work as a regional system operator, which faces an increasing number of challenges due to the intensive integration of renewable energy sources (RES) and the introduction of a regional electricity and capacity market in Central Asia.
Uzbek Deputy Energy Minister Akmal Jumanazarov, U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick, USAID Mission Director to Uzbekistan David Hoffman, and Head of the Energy Coordination and Dispatch Center Khamidilla Shamsiev opened the ceremony, which was also attended by other senior representatives of the Ministry and key energy sector stakeholders.
Ambassador Henick emphasized Uzbekistan's prominent role in the region's energy sector.
"Due to its central geographical location, rich energy resources, and key infrastructure, Uzbekistan plays a vital role in the region. As Central Asia's energy system expands and becomes more complex, innovative solutions are needed to plan the development of the energy sector. Together, we are building the foundation for a sustainable future to meet the complex challenges of the energy transition," he said.
The delivery of modern and critically needed equipment was accomplished under USAID's flagship regional energy project, Power Central Asia. With a total budget of $39 million for five years, the project aims to improve energy sector performance, accelerate clean energy development, and enhance energy security and reliability through increased regional connectivity and cross-border power trade. Through this project alone, USAID has attracted $2.2 billion in clean energy investments and has facilitated the installation of 2,241 MW of clean energy capacity across Central Asia to date.
The installation of the equipment is an important step toward creating a more sustainable and efficient energy environment in Uzbekistan and the region as a whole, which is consistent with the high-level priorities outlined in the joint statement of the Presidents of the US and all five Central Asian states: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
"Through C5+1 programs such as USAID's Central Asia Energy, the United States and the Central Asian states will benefit economically from regional trade in clean energy and a clean economy in the future,” the presidents said.
