2009-11-25

 On 20 November, the state-owned energy holding Uzbekneftegaz launched the operation of a new gas pipeline connecting the Tashkent district with the Uzbek part of the Fergana Valley. The gas pipeline will supply gas to the three Uzbek districts in the Valley, bypassing the territory of Tajikistan, with which Uzbekistan has tense relations. This investment, along with the almost complete Guzar-Surkhan power line, will enable Uzbekistan to end its energy dependence on its neighbours.

 The gas pipeline has a capacity of 10 billion m3 a year, and was built for US$493 million. Until now, the Uzbek part of the Fergana Valley, the most populous part of the country, received its gas from the Central Asia-Centre main gas pipeline crossing northern Tajikistan. The new high-voltage power line (500 kV), the construction of which cost US$93 million, will make it possible to directly integrate the Surkhandarya district next to the Afghan border into the Uzbek power grid (the line is to be put into operation on 1 December). Southern Uzbekistan has been receiving its electricity supplies via Tajikistan's territory.
 
These energy infrastructure investments are strategic for Tashkent. They will enable Uzbekistan to end its dependence on its neighbours, which was caused by the post-Soviet gas and electricity transmission networks running across the state borders that emerged after 1991. With the new power line, Uzbekistan will be able to carry out its plans to leave the Joint Energy System of the Central Asian republics, and export energy to Afghanistan independently of Tajikistan. Tashkent will also be able to use its central location to dictate the prices of electricity transit. <MMat>

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