BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. Uzbekistan intends to liberalize markets for energy resources and natural gas with establishment of guarantees of social protection, the spokeswoman of the Uzbek Ministry of Energy Elmira Bekmurodova told Trend.
"The development strategy of new Uzbekistan for 2022-2026" provides for the introduction of social consumption norms to attract more private investment in the energy sector and protect the low-income groups," Bekmurodova said.
According to her, by April, 2022 a draft resolution of the president of Uzbekistan will be developed, aimed at creating a healthy competitive environment in the energy sector, creating equal opportunities for all participants and introducing transparent pricing mechanisms.
The spokeswoman also said that the monopoly on the supply of electricity will be abolished in Uzbekistan, market mechanisms will be introduced in the industry with the establishment of guarantees of social protection.
According to Bekmurodova, within the framework of the state program, it is envisaged to form a separate joint-stock company that will act as a single buyer.
“To this end, National Electric Networks of Uzbekistan JSC will be released from the operation of main electric networks and endowed with the function of a single buyer,” she noted.
"It is also envisaged to establish basic requirements for attracting private operators to Uzbek Regional Electric Networks JSC, and Uzbekhydroenergo JSC is instructed to attract private investors to the implementation of small and medium-sized investment projects," Bekmurodova said.
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