Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan is pressing ahead with an ambitious national program to increase the share of renewable energy sources in its energy mix. A key pillar of this effort is the development of hydropower, a sector actively promoted by Uzbekhydroenergo JSC.

Under a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated January 31, 2020, major construction work is underway in the Bostanlyk district of Tashkent region as part of the investment project “Construction of the Lower Chatkal Hydropower Plant on the Chatkal River.”

On May 23, the Press Service of Uzbekhydroenergo JSC organized a media tour of the construction site, which was attended by representatives of leading print and digital media, editors from television and radio channels, as well as journalists and bloggers.

The Lower Chatkal Hydropower Plant project includes the installation of four hydroelectric units, each with a capacity of 22.5 MW. The total installed capacity of the plant will reach 90 MW, with an expected annual electricity output of 300 million kilowatt-hours — enough to supply power to up to 125,000 households per year.

Once fully operational, the facility will enable Uzbekistan to avoid burning approximately 81 million cubic meters of natural gas or 250,000 tons of coal annually. The station is designed to operate without harming aquatic ecosystems, disrupting the hydrological regime, or negatively affecting the environment.

A hallmark of the project is the use of advanced roller-compacted concrete (RCC) dam construction technology, being implemented for the first time not only in Uzbekistan but across Central Asia. The dam will stand 60 meters tall, stretch 270 meters in length, and span 7.5 meters in width, forming a robust foundation for the entire hydroengineering complex. The reservoir will hold 6.8 million cubic meters of water.

Thanks to RCC technology, construction time is reduced by half. This type of concrete is characterized by high strength, low water permeability, and the ability to be laid mechanically, significantly increasing construction efficiency.

Project documentation is being developed by Hydroproject JSC in collaboration with leading engineering firms from Turkey and Iran. The construction process involves advanced equipment from the German company GERTEK, which enables automated and remotely controlled cement grout production and delivery.

To enhance the dam's impermeability, a cement grouting curtain is being installed along its entire length. A tunnel over 650 meters long has also been completed. Earth materials excavated during construction are processed on-site and reused in RCC concrete production at a dedicated facility with a capacity of 500 tons per hour.

Additionally, for the first time in Uzbekistan, the plant’s wash gallery features ultra-high-strength M800-grade concrete, capable of withstanding intense hydrostatic pressure during the annual reservoir flushing process. The bottom of the gallery is lined with wear-resistant metal plates to ensure durability and ease of maintenance.

Construction and installation quality is monitored using equipment from the Italian company MATEST. A modern belt conveyor system for concrete delivery is also employed — a technology currently used in only five countries: the United States, Canada, Italy, Iran, and Uzbekistan.

Importantly, the dam and power plant are being built as a unified complex in full accordance with international standards. As part of the project's localization strategy, up to 90% of components and technological equipment are supplied by domestic enterprises — subsidiaries of Uzbekhydroenergo JSC.

More than 1,800 specialists are working on-site across three shifts, providing stable income for around 10,000 families. Upon completion, the facility will create over 120 permanent jobs for young professionals.

These efforts in hydropower development are not only aimed at strengthening Uzbekistan’s energy independence and ensuring a stable energy supply for both households and industry, but also at creating new jobs and advancing regional infrastructure.

The Lower Chatkal Hydropower Plant offers several key advantages over other types of power generation:

— Annual savings of more than 91 million cubic meters of natural gas
— Clean energy production with minimal emissions
— Generation costs that are 8 to 10 times lower than thermal power plants
— Equipment with a service life twice as long as that of thermal stations
— Utilization of a renewable energy source — water.

The launch of the Lower Chatkal Hydropower Plant is scheduled to coincide with the celebration of Uzbekistan’s Independence Day.