Extreme Heat in Uzbekistan Drives Record Power Consumption
Uzbekistan Sets New Electricity Consumption Records Amid Ongoing Heatwave
The scorching hot weather in Uzbekistan has led to a significant increase in electricity consumption, reaching record levels in the country’s energy system. According to the Ministry of Energy, on July 25 and 26, historical highs were achieved in terms of electricity usage.
On July 25, at 3:47 PM, with temperatures soaring to +39.7 degrees Celsius in Tashkent, the electricity consumption in Uzbekistan peaked at 11,822 MW. This marks the highest consumption ever recorded during the summer period, surpassing the previous record set on July 28, 2023, when temperatures hit +40 degrees Celsius.
Furthermore, on July 26, the daily electricity consumption hit 253.3 million kWh, setting a new record for summer usage. In Tashkent alone, consumption peaked at 1,705 MW on the same day at 2:27 PM, exceeding the previous high recorded on July 27, 2023.
The extreme heat has not only increased electricity demand but has also impacted the power transmission lines, leading to constraints in the system. To prevent widespread outages and potential accidents, temporary restrictions were imposed on consumers in Tashkent during peak hours.
The Ministry of Energy emphasized the importance of these measures in maintaining the stability of the energy grid and avoiding larger disruptions that would take significant time to resolve. Despite the challenges, the energy system still maintains a reserve capacity of 1,300 MW during the day, with 16% of the demand being met by solar photovoltaic plants.
As Uzbekistan continues to grapple with the effects of the heatwave, authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the reliability and stability of the country’s energy supply.
