Uzbekistan and France collaborate on €340M water supply projects
Uzbekistan is taking steps to enhance the involvement of the private sector in the development of the country’s sewerage system. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev recently led a meeting focused on various crucial issues, such as improving drinking water supply, upgrading neighborhoods, and advancing agriculture.
This year, Uzbekistan plans to install 1,600 km of water supply networks and 521 km of sewerage systems, benefiting 715,000 people with clean drinking water and 135,000 households with sewerage services. Moreover, 157,000 households will receive modern water meters as part of the development projects.
The country has collaborated with French companies to execute water supply projects in the Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya regions, with an overall investment of €340 million. For instance, Suez, a French company, will oversee the water supply system in several regions, enhancing the centralized water supply coverage to 90%.
To expedite progress, the government highlighted the importance of increased private sector involvement in the sewerage sector. Tenders involving international organizations will be fast-tracked to complete projects worth $850 million by the year-end.
Additionally, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will contribute $125 million for the digital transformation of Uzbekistan’s water supply system. By 2030, the country aims to install smart meters and telemetry systems, transferring the maintenance of water meters to private entities gradually.
Furthermore, discussions also addressed challenges in the heating sector, particularly regarding excessive gas consumption. A reform program has been approved, allocating 19 trillion UZS to revamp and modernize heating networks, with the goal of increasing centralized heating coverage to 58%.
President Mirziyoyev directed the Ministry of Construction to create an energy efficiency program for apartment buildings, with the aim of transitioning 9,000 residential buildings and social facilities to a closed-loop heating system. This transition is expected to reduce heat loss by 50% and gas consumption by 20%.
