TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 28. The Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan and World Bank discussed initiatives for developing sustainable heating systems, Trend reports.
The matter was reviewed at a meeting between Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Samandar Sadullaev, along with key department heads, and the World Bank delegation led by Global Practice Manager Stephanie Hill accompanied by energy specialist Manuel Berlenghiero and other representatives.
During the meeting, the sides focused on enhancing energy efficiency in Uzbekistan’s heating systems, incorporating green economy principles, and adapting to climate change. Discussions included cooperation on programs to improve energy efficiency in social buildings, private homes, and apartment complexes, supported by the World Bank's technical and financial expertise.
The World Bank shared insights from European centralized heating systems, highlighting Poland’s heat pump program and its outcomes. The discussion explored progress in modernizing centralized heating networks and creating green jobs for small and medium-sized enterprises through these initiatives.
Uzbekistan expressed its commitment to collaborating with the World Bank on eliminating subsidies for the heating sector and tailoring solutions to diverse building types and regional climates. Key priorities included developing a new tariff methodology for heating systems, integrating cooling and heating solutions, and promoting energy-efficient technologies in households.
The parties also reviewed creating a unified national program for energy-saving sub-projects, implementing climate-adaptive strategies, and upgrading centralized heating systems based on consumer needs. The importance of decentralizing decision-making due to regional variations in heating infrastructure and building conditions was underscored. Both sides agreed to continue developing recommendations and coordinating joint projects.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan produced a total of 22.7 million Gcal of heat energy in 2024. The production volume of heat energy has decreased by 7 percent over year (24.3 million Gcal in 2023)