Present Situation and Perspective Development of Power System of Uzbekistan

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, I.A. Karimov, summing up the results of the main economic branches of Uzbekistan pointed out:” The Republic will be fully independent when it gains the energetic independence”.

Having a large production and scientific technical potential, the Power Industry of our country heavy effected the development of the whole national economy.  The overall electrification has given the opportunity of production development, municipal and regional infrastructure development of the Republic, industrial progress of all branches of national economy.

The Power Industry of Uzbekistan operates in the framework of the State Joint Stock Company ”Uzbekenergo”, established in the form of open joint stock company including the Coal Industry enterprises since 2001.

The company structure includes 53 enterprises and organizations, including 39 open joint-stock companies, 11 unitary enterprises, 2 societies with limited liability and company branch-“Energosotish”.

At present, all enterprises affiliated the company structure and being the subject for privatization already denationalized except two.

In accordance with Decree NoPP-407 of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 10.07.2006 “On extension of privatization process 2006-2008”, the privatization of unitary enterprise “Talimardjan TPP” is planned for 2007, and privatization of unitary enterprise “Tashkent TPP” is planned for 2008.

As for now, the company performs the centralized electric power supply of national economy and population, and also sale of thermal energy to industrial and domestic consumers in distinct cities of the Republic.

During the economic reform years, the Power Industry’s enterprises annually generate up to 48bln.kW/h of electric power and more than 10 mln. Gcal of thermal power that fully meet the economic and population demand of the country.

The installed capacity of Power Plants of Uzbekistan exceeds 12,3 mln. kW equal to 50% of all generating capacities of the Interconnected Power System of Central Asia.

SJSC ”Uzbekenergo”, having the 39 Power Plants of total installed capacity 12,0 mln. kW is actually the key producer and supplier of electric power in the Republic.  The share of Department Power Plants in the structure of generated capacities produces not less than 3% (320MW).

The installed capacity of Power Plants is enough to meet the growing demand consumption of the Republic, for implementation of export power supply commitments and keeping the energy security of the country.

The Thermal Power Plants of total capacity 10,6mln. kW is the base of the Power System of Uzbekistan.  The power units of capacity from 150 to 800 MW each are set up at 5 big Thermal Power Plants.

These are such a big Thermal Power Plants as Talimardjan, Syr-darya, Novo-Angren and

Tashkent TPP’s generating over 85% of electric power.

All Hydro Power Plants of the company in general are united into cascades of HPP’s and operate based on waterway.  The largest HPPs are located in the upper of Chirchik river (Charvak HPP, Khodjikent HPP, Gazalkent HPP) and have the water storage basins allowing to operate in regulation capacity mode.

For power generation at TPP’s the gas share usage is 90,8%, mazut is 5,3% and coal is 3,9%.  This tendency shall be keeping in the nearest future, gas remains as the main fuel and the share of coal increases up to 10-12% in fuel balance.

The power transmission and distribution are fulfilled by means of power transmission lines of 0,4-500kV to all consumers of the Republic.

The extension of power transmission lines are over 235 thousand km.  All consumers are connected to centralized power supply system. 

The arrangement of power transmission lines of 220-500kV with 7,5 thousand km extension provides the stable operation of power system, the transmission of power from the Power Plants to the load centre, passing supply of power to the cross-boarder countries.

The most branched power transmission lines are the distributing mains of 0,4- 6- 10 kV.  Through the distributing mains the power supply effected to the customers of the Republic.

It is worthwhile to say that the main volume of power supply accrued to industrial enterprises, agricultural consumers and population.  The share of annual power consumption along the Republic is 1940kW/h per capita. 

 “The Program for Development and Reconstruction of Generating Capacities in the Power Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the period till 2010” was approved by Government for the purpose of uninterrupted power supply of  national economy and population of the Republic and for the creation of favorable conditions for stable and effective development of National Power Industry .

Within the framework of branch development program, the construction of power unit No 1 at Talimardjan TPP of 800 MW was completed in 2005, which commissioning permits to reduce the transmission power losses.

The steady operation of power unit with load up to 700 MW gave the opportunity to generate over 4,8bln.kW/h in 2006.  Besides, the commissioning of power unit into operation promoted the uninterrupted power supply of Samarkand- Bukhara Region and results the exclusion of power transmission from central part of power system.  The transmission power losses had reduced, the additional economy of 230 thousand tons of fuel equivalent has achieved and optimal rate of power network modes has provided.

In the balance of power generation the operation of Talimardjan TPP provides the reduction of specific fuel consumption for 8,0 gr/kWh.

Out of proceeds of the EBRD credits, the reconstruction of two power unit No 7 and No 8 was carried out at Syr-Darya TPP, 300 MW each unit capacity that allow to restore the design output of each unit and  reduce the specific fuel consumption for 40gr/kWh .

At present, a number of investment projects are underway using the attracted loan funds of International Financing Institutions.  The implementation of “Tashkent Thermal Power Plant Modernization Project” has started with introduction of advanced combined cycle technologies of 370 MW for power generation.  The renovation of the processing equipment at Navoi TPP, Mubarek DHP and Tashkent HEGP are specified during the reconstruction and modernization. 

The completion of the construction of two transformers substation 500 kV “Sogdiana” with total capacity 1002 MWA in Samarkand Region, its commissioning into commercial operation has provided the increased power supply quality for consumers, reduction of transmission power losses.

The company is carrying out measures for development of main backbone network of 220-500 kV by means of internal con tractors.

The work for the construction of high voltage transmission line of 500 kV from Syr-Darya TPP to substation “Sogdiana” had started.  The partial financing out IDB loan (USD25,1 mln.) provided.

The construction of number of facilities of 110-220kV, including the indoor substations and cable lines of 110 kV for power supply reliability improvement of the capital of our Republic, Tashkent city, are envisaged.

The construction of nearly 800 km of main transmission lines and introduction of 2,4 mln kWA of transformer capacities at  system substations 220-500 kV has specified.

In common with, the development of renewable power generation work is in progress, with priority of usage of hydro power potential.

The Program for development of small hydro power industry usable for agriculture had adopted and is in the progress in the system of Ministry of Water and Agriculture.

According to this Program  are foreseen the  construction of 15  small HPP’s with total capacity 420 MW and generation of ,3 bln. KW/h   annually.

This year, the company has started working out of plan of power system development for the period till 2020.  Herewith, introducing the advanced technologies and equipment, the reconstruction of operating power capacities will be continued. 

The strategic goals of Power Industry development of Uzbekistan are the followings:

• Extension of economic reforms, forming and development of power market;
• Reliable quality power supply of economy and population of the Republic;
• Technical re-equipment and modernization of existing power facilities, improvement of production efficiency;
• Reduction of environmental impact of Power Facilities;
• Further development of integration process within the framework of Interconnected Power System of Central Asia.

As a result of implementation of above programs, the favorable conditions will be created for the operation of Power Industry, providing effective vital activity of society, creating terms for economic development, social and vital level of population of the country.