Interfax citing Mr Batyr Teshabayev CEO of Uzbekenergo as saying that, Uzbekistan plans to raise USD 3.5 billion in 2009 to 2014 to finance development of the electricity sector.

Twenty-four electricity generation projects will add about 2,700 megawatts of capacity including 2,255 megawatts at thermal plants and 440 megawatts at hydropower plants.

Uzbekistan also plans to carry out 12 projects to add over 1,400 kilometers of transmission lines and 1,754 MVA of transformer capacity. It has also begun projects to automate control systems and introduce electricity metering.

Mr Teshabayev highlighted the many years of successful collaboration Uzbekenergo has had with Japanese companies and specifically mentioned the current renovation underway at the Tashkent TES power station which includes the installation of a 370 megawatt steam-gas turbine. The project will cost a total of USD 463.5 million, financed in part with a loan from the Japanese Bank for International Cooperation.

He also mentioned the USD 166.2 million Tashkent Combined Heat and Power Plant which will see the installation of three 27 megawatt gas turbines. Uzbekenergo will provide USD 36.1 million in financing for the project with the rest coming from foreign investment

(Sourced from Interfax)