Uzbekistan launches first domestically built hydropower plant

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (MNTV) — Uzbekistan has opened its first fully domestically built hydropower plant, a landmark in both industrial self-reliance and renewable energy expansion. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev inaugurated the facility on 16 September during a visit to Namangan region, describing it as a strategic step toward energy sovereignty.

The facility, known as HPP-1, is part of the Naryn cascade — a $428 million project to build six hydropower plants along the Naryn River. 

According to independent outlet UZ Daily, it is the first hydropower station in the country’s history to be constructed entirely with Uzbek-made materials and equipment. The achievement underscores the government’s aim to reduce dependence on foreign imports while investing in clean energy infrastructure.

The first stage alone will generate 171 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, supplying power to around 430,000 households. It is also expected to create 130 jobs and conserve 290 million cubic meters of natural gas each year, equivalent to nearly $24 million. 

Officials highlight that the project carries both economic and social significance by ensuring a stable electricity supply, supporting industrial activity, and lowering fuel consumption.

When completed, the cascade will provide 228 megawatts of power across six stations. The second and third plants are scheduled for launch in 2026, with the remaining three expected by 2027. Each plant will generate 38 megawatts, contributing to Uzbekistan’s long-term target of diversifying its energy mix.

For the first time in the country’s hydropower sector, horizontal capsule hydro units have been deployed. These units can operate efficiently even under low water pressure, allowing for more stable energy production in varying river conditions. The site also includes a spillway structure, dispatch center, administrative offices, and service buildings.

Environmental and community development measures are being incorporated into the project. Around 6,000 ornamental trees have already been planted at the station’s grounds, with another 7,000 fruit saplings planned for spring. Authorities aim to transform the area into an eco-tourism hub alongside its role as a major energy site.

Uzbekistan has declared renewable energy a strategic priority to safeguard its economy and energy security. In recent years, the country has commissioned more than ten solar, wind, and hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 450 megawatts in Bukhara, Samarkand, Navoi, Surkhandarya, and other regions. 

The Naryn project, however, is viewed as a defining initiative because it combines energy generation with industrial localization and environmental sustainability.

Analysts say the launch reflects Uzbekistan’s dual ambition: to reduce dependence on fossil fuels while cultivating domestic expertise and technology in large-scale energy projects. For Central Asia, the Naryn cascade may become a model of how investment in renewables can align with economic diversification and climate goals.