Uzbekistan is taking steps to expand electricity production capabilities, making the need for energy efficiency increasingly urgent.

UzA Correspondent interviewed Jobir Akhadov, Deputy Director of the National Research Institute of Renewable Energy under the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan, about the initiatives the institution is implementing to enhance the efficient use of energy resources.

– In June 2024, the President of Uzbekistan signed a resolution on additional measures to improve the efficiency of energy resource use. This resolution sets specific targets for electricity and gas savings across the country, introduces measures to boost energy efficiency and conserve energy resources, and mandates the establishment of energy manager positions and systematic efforts toward energy efficiency at each state enterprise.

Based on this resolution, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the German Energy Agency (DENA), the National Research Institute of Renewable Energy is conducting energy manager training and organizing a course on energy efficiency.

– Could you please tell us more about the energy manager training course?

– First, we developed a curriculum as the basis for a short-term course. Starting October 28, about 20 trainers are studying Japan’s energy efficiency practices. Experts from Japan’s Energy Conservation Center – Motohiro Washimi, Niro Kitagawa, and Hisao Kazama – lead the lectures.

It’s worth noting that Japan’s Energy Conservation Center has been active since 1978. The Japanese experts we are learning from provide detailed information on energy conservation and energy-efficient devices. The course will conclude on November 8.

– So, will the trainers who have learned from Japanese practices teach specialists themselves? When will the sessions start, and who will attend?

– As mentioned, the President’s resolution mandates creating energy manager positions at every state enterprise and organization to pursue systematic efforts toward energy efficiency.

Starting in late November, we plan to launch short-term courses at our institute for employees from all state bodies and organizations nationwide responsible for implementing energy-saving and efficiency measures.

Uzbekistan has recently built solar, wind, and highly efficient natural gas power plants, all of which help improve electricity supply. In addition, high-quality energy-saving boilers are being installed nationwide. However, no matter how much electricity we produce, if we do not enhance its efficiency, all the work will be in vain, so achieving energy efficiency is our primary goal.

– In what areas are specialists trained in the courses organized with the German Energy Agency?

– A jointly established Uzbek-German Training Center is set to open soon. A special working group at our institute and DENA experts developed the concept and curriculum. The planned opening date is early December. The center will train specialists in energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Notably, training at the Uzbek-German Training Center will adopt an integrated approach, with specialists from construction, design institutes, and government agencies participating in the educational process.

Interviewed by Nasiba Ziyodullayeva, UzA