Measures have been identified to strengthen control in the energy supply sector

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a February 6 meeting on measures to streamline the energy supply control system.

The meeting critically analysed problems in the energy supply and billing system. January's freezing temperatures made it clear that management and control in this area had significantly weakened. Despite the reports by the responsible bodies that the automated system for measuring the consumption of electricity by 92 per cent and the automated system for measuring the consumption of natural gas by 98 per cent have been implemented, the unpaid bills in this sector remain high.

The district electricity and gas authorities are issuing permission to connect to the grid without proper calculations and analysis. For example, transformers in 120 mahallas of Tashkent city were repaired five to six times a month because they could not bear the load.

The level of theft in the sector remains high. Last December alone over 12 thousand cases of illegal use of electricity and gas resulted in 600 billion soums worth of damage. There is no systematic control of gas filling stations.

In view of this, it was decided to introduce a new system to strengthen control and ensure the rule of law in the energy sector. The task has been set to transfer the energy oversight system to an emergency operation mode for a period of two years. Instructions were given to improve the activity of the Uzenergo-Inspectorate and the Compulsory Enforcement Bureau, to introduce new approaches to regulation of connection to the electricity and natural gas networks.

Problems of energy infrastructure were also discussed at the meeting. In particular, the task was set to launch a digital map of Tashkent city with concrete representation of the location of land plots put up for tender, power, utilities and social infrastructure capacities.

At the meeting, the responsible persons presented information on the implementation of the new system.