Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 11 May, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a videoconference to discuss issues of energy supply and the introduction of renewable energy sources in the regions.

In our country, the issues of expanding the energy potential and the rational use of energy have been elevated to the rank of state policy. Over the past six years, new generating capacities have been created for more than 5,000 megawatts. In January-April of this year, an additional 726 million kilowatt-hours of electricity were generated.

At the same time, it is expected that this year the shortage of electricity will amount to 3 billion 400 million kilowatt-hours, and the daily demand on the hot days of the coming summer may increase from the current 195 million to 255 million kilowatt-hours.

The meeting discussed measures to cover this demand and ensure the uninterrupted operation of electric networks.

Responsible persons reported on the measures taken to launch solar and wind power plants with a capacity of 2,000 megawatts this year, as well as install solar panels with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts at enterprises, on the roofs of houses and social facilities.

Based on specific figures, the head of state pointed out the shortcomings in this work. Khokims of certain districts and cities who are superficially related to this issue have been reprimanded.

The President said that in order to stimulate the use of alternative energy sources, he signed a resolution on the introduction of the Green Energy certificate system. So, from 1 July, hydroelectric power plants will be issued a "green" certificate. The system will apply from 1 October to all electricity generated from renewable energy sources.

At the expense of the Entrepreneurship Support Fund, all trade and service enterprises will be provided with compensation of 4 percent of loans allocated for the installation of solar panels. 100 million dollars will be attracted from international financial organizations for further allocation of preferential loans to the population and entrepreneurs.

Responsible persons were instructed to introduce this system, encourage the population and entrepreneurs, government departments and social institutions to install small solar panels.

At the meeting, special attention was paid to the repair of electrical networks.

The repair work program is being carried out in the city of Tashkent. To date, 667 kilometers of electrical networks and 175 transformers have been updated.

The khokim of the regions instructed to create a stock of electrical equipment and materials, and by August 1 to complete the repair work planned for the current year. For this, additional teams will be created and qualified specialists will be recruited.

In order to prevent interruptions in the supply of electricity, the task was set to provide thermal power plants with an additional volume of gas in the amount of 6 million cubic meters by June 1. This summer, the first phase of a 500 megawatt power plant being built by ACWA Power in Syrdarya region will also be put into operation.

On 13 February 2023, a resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On measures to improve the efficiency of state control in the field of the use of fuel and energy resources" was adopted. In this regard, the post of Deputy Prosecutor General, responsible for compliance with the law, has been introduced, and a comprehensive system of supervision has been established. To date, illegal use of energy resources in the amount of 250 billion soums has been revealed, and the damage caused has been recovered.

The head of state stressed the need to continue this work and stop cases of illegal consumption of energy resources.

The issues of energy saving and increase in coal production were also discussed.

Of no small importance is the issue of stable supplies of gasoline and diesel fuel. Restrictions on the import of these products into our country have been lifted. On the ground there are capacities to store 1 million tons of fuel. It is indicated that each region, using this opportunity, should form a reserve of gasoline and diesel fuel.

Recently, electric vehicles have been gaining popularity. Since the beginning of this year, about 5,000 such vehicles have been imported into the country. The meeting stressed the need to expand the conditions for electric transport using the created incentives and increase the number of chargers in the field.