Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- At the fifty-fourth plenary session of the Senate, the Law "On Energy Saving, Efficient Use, and Energy Efficiency Enhancement" was reviewed.

It was noted that in recent years, the country has implemented consistent reforms to ensure energy stability, introduce renewable energy sources and energy-saving technologies, and provide state support to the sector.

Currently, the share of renewable energy sources in the total electricity production in the country is about 10%. In this regard, Uzbekistan aims to increase the capacity of renewable energy sources to 27 gigawatts and raise the total electricity production to at least 40% by 2030.

This will save 25 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually and reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere by 34 million tons.

Undoubtedly, achieving these targets and ensuring energy stability requires strengthening the legal framework in this field.

Moreover, the limited hydrocarbon resources and their depletion necessitate measures for energy conservation, efficient use, and enhancement of energy efficiency.

However, in practice, the country lacks an effective system for monitoring energy resource consumption, energy consumption standards, and conducting energy audits.

State institutions and organizations lack energy service companies for implementing modern energy-saving technologies and improving energy efficiency. Additionally, the implementation of information and communication technologies for energy saving and efficiency enhancement is progressing slowly, creating several problems.

The Law is crucial for creating favorable conditions for developing a healthy competitive environment in the energy sector, increasing the attraction of foreign and private investments, and establishing wholesale and retail electricity markets based on free and transparent pricing mechanisms.

The Law establishes principles for ensuring energy security, energy saving and efficiency enhancement, and the rational use of resources. It defines the tasks and rules for the economical and efficient use of electrical and thermal energy, fuel, and non-traditional energy resources in the economy and social sectors.

It also envisages establishing responsibility for violating energy saving and efficiency requirements and excessive resource consumption.

The Law outlines directions for energy saving and efficiency enhancement in construction and transportation, buildings and structures, heating and communal service enterprises, and the agricultural and water sectors.

According to the senators, the adoption of this Law serves to further optimize energy resource expenditures and creates a legal basis for systematic monitoring of energy consumption efficiency.

The Law was approved by the senators.