Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  The Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan has outlined measures to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies as the country experiences a sudden cold wave.

According to the Ministry, the influx of cold air has led to a 20% increase in natural gas consumption and a 15% rise in electricity demand compared to the previous week.

To address potential disruptions promptly, over 1,600 round-the-clock repair teams have been mobilized and equipped with necessary tools and vehicles:

• Electricity supply companies received 877 vehicles and 450 specialized units of equipment.
• Gas supply companies were provided with 220 vehicles, 259 specialized units, and 567 welding machines.

Energy facilities have switched to 24/7 operations, reducing the average response time for repairs from 3–3.5 hours to 1–1.5 hours.

Unlike in previous years, mandatory restrictions have been avoided thanks to the commissioning of new energy capacities. However, the surge in gas demand has caused a drop in pipeline pressure.

To prioritize residential and social facilities, schedules for temporary restrictions on gas filling stations have been implemented in regions with high consumption. Updates on these restrictions will be communicated through official channels.

The Ministry of Energy urges citizens to:

• Use electrical and gas appliances responsibly.
• Conserve energy resources.
• Avoid using non-standard devices.
• Turn off unused appliances.
• Follow safety guidelines to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

For immediate assistance, the Ministry has provided the following hotlines:

• Electricity supply: 1154 or Telegram @HET_admin.
• Gas supply: 1104, 104, or Telegram bot @hududgaz_murojaat_bot.

The Ministry calls on the public to support these measures and follow the recommendations to prevent emergency situations.