Uzbekistan is set to introduce a program aimed at supporting energy conservation by the population following a Cabinet of Ministers resolution on raising tariffs for electricity and gas. The Ministry of Energy, together with the Ministries of Economy and Finance, and the National Agency for Social Protection, will develop and present the program to the government within two months.
During this period, proposals will also be drafted to impose financial sanctions on legal entities for irrational (illegal) use of fuel and energy resources, as well as applying a surcharge to the established tariffs for illegal gas and electricity use and theft.
In 2024, Uzbekenergoinspektsiya registered 1858 administrative cases of consumers violating energy resource usage rules, with 247 cases involving wasteful use of electricity and heat energy.
According to Article 100 of the Administrative Responsibility Code, wasteful consumption of electricity and heat energy is punishable by fines ranging from 5 to 15 times the basic calculated value for officials.
In October 2023, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the need to enhance energy conservation culture. The last time gas and electricity tariffs for the population were raised was in August 2019. On April 16, the government issued a resolution to increase energy resource prices starting from May 1, along with the introduction of social norms.
The Social Protection Agency specified that around 1.5 million needy families in Uzbekistan will receive assistance due to the tariff hikes on gas and electricity. Measures include raising the poverty line, pensions, benefits, a one-time payment of 270,000 sums in the heating season, and compensations.
