Geo-04-2020. indb

ELENA M. KUZMINA,
candidate of political science, head of the sector of Belarus, Moldova 
and Ukraine IMEMO RAS.
Address: 23, Profsoyuznaya Str., Moscow, 117997, Russian Federation.
E-mail: [e-mail]
SPIN-code: 1307-5256
WATER PROBLEMS AND RISKS 
OF HYDROPOWER IN UZBEKISTAN
DOI: 10.48137/2687-0703_2020_12_4_6
Received: 30.10.2020.
For citation: Kuzmina E., 2020. Water Problems and Risks of Hydropower in Uzbeki-
stan. – Geoeconomics of Energetics. № 4 (12). P. 6–24.
Keywords: Uzbekistan, Central Asia, hydropower potential, river flow, transboundary 
waters, groundwater, irrigated agriculture, water use, hydropower develop-
ment programs, water legislation.
Abstract
By virtue of Uzbekistan’s hot and arid climate water is very important for its 
economy and satisfaction of the population’s basic needs in general. The article ad-
dresses Uzbekistan’s water and hydropower potential. The most important economy 
sectors in the field of water intake and use of water resources are irrigated agriculture 
and hydropower. The development programs of these industries are aimed not only 
at increasing the use of the water potential, but also at modernizing capacities for 
energy and resource conservation. Special emphasis in hydropower is placed on the 
construction of new hydroelectric power stations, primarily small and medium- sized 
ones. This will improve the situation in remote and inaccessible areas of the state. To 
this end, hydropower agencies have been restructured. Modernization of irrigation and 
other reclamation systems remains a pressing issue in the water supply of agriculture.
An analysis of changes in the legislative framework on water issues and hydropower 
in 2017–2020 was made. The legislative framework regulating water issues has been 
significantly improved in the Republic: water use by population and the national 
economy, water conservation, the use of transboundary and groundwater. Water and 
hydropower programs have been adopted and are in operation.
Uzbekistan does not have sufficient water resources on its territory but consumes the 
largest amount of water in the region. It is critically dependent on the transboundary 
water resources. The article also analyzes Uzbekistan’s interaction with the countries 
of Central Asia in the transboundary rivers and reservoirs use, reconstruction of the 
unified region energy system. In recent years, it has managed to establish pragmatic 
relations with neighboring countries in the sphere of water resources. Intensive work 
is underway to restore a single regional energy system. Nevertheless, plans for joint 
projects in the construction of hydroelectric power stations are only planned. These 
actions by Uzbekistan’s government have already reduced the conflict potential in 
the region. They help strengthen Uzbekistan’s position as a regulator of the regional 
hydropower balance.
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Геоэкономика энергетики 
4/2020

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Е. Кузьмина
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Водные проблемы и риски гидроэнергетики Узбекистана