World Bank OKs $100m loan for renewable energy integration in Uzbekistan

This addresses the country’s urgent need to modernise its network.

The World Bank has granted a $100m concessional credit to help boost the integration of renewable energy into Uzbekistan’s distribution networks.

In a statement, the World Bank said Uzbekistan’s Regional Electric Power Networks (REPN) will also provide $50m in co-financing.

Uzbekistan’s energy system faces significant inefficiencies, including technical distribution losses estimated at around 13% as of 2024. These losses are primarily due to aging and overburdened infrastructure.

This calls for an investment to modernise the system and assist in the country’s goal of deploying 25 gigawatts of renewable generation by 2030.

“The World Bank’s financing will support Uzbekistan’s government program to modernise and expand the electricity distribution infrastructure through 2030, with total investment needs estimated at $3b,” said Tatiana Proskuryakova, World Bank director for Central Asia.

With $150 million in combined financing, REPN will develop infrastructure over the next five years to enhance the integration of renewable energy into distribution networks. This will also ensure a reliable electricity supply in priority regions, including the Republic of Karakalpakstan and Surkhandarya.