ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, August 25. Turkmenistan will supply Uzbekistan with 2 billion cubic meters of gas annually, Uzbekistan's Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov said, Trend reports.
He noted that the deal was signed between the Turkmengaz State Concern and UzGasTrade JSC and also added that, in the future, it is planned to conclude a long-term contract with an increase in volumes.
"We were able to sign a short-term contract for the supply of Turkmen natural gas to Uzbekistan in the amount of up to 2 billion cubic meters per year. This is just the beginning; we have discussed broader prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation. This is also the elaboration of a long-term contract for longer periods with an increase in supplies," the minister stressed.
According to him, Turkmen gas will help meet the growing demand of the population, economic sectors, and road transport in Uzbekistan.
Furthermore, Mirzamakhmudov also noted that the negotiations touched upon the purchase of electricity from Turkmenistan and its transit.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan began to directly purchase electricity from Turkmenistan in 2019 and, from December 2022, natural gas, which was previously re-exported by the Russian Gazprom energy company.
Turkmenistan currently supplies natural gas to countries such as Azerbaijan (which swaps supplies via Iran), China, and Russia.