"Uzbekistan: Environmental Aspects Must Be Considered in Mini-Hydropower Plant Construction", 23 January 2025

The construction of mini-hydropower plants is presented as a way to obtain “clean” energy from renewable sources, which contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and mitigates climate change. However, it is also associated with serious environmental and social risks that could exacerbate climate change-related problems, according to environmentalists in Uzbekistan...

JSC O’zbekgidroenergo is the only entity in the country dedicated to developing and implementing programs for the enhancement of the country’s hydroelectric potential. The company is wholly owned by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which exercises its shareholder rights on behalf of the state...

Small-scale hydropower (SSH) has become a crucial component of energy strategies worldwide. Its adaptability to local needs and suitability for remote rural areas with low energy consumption make it an attractive solution. Additionally, it helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhances energy independence...

With proper planning, SSH projects can also create opportunities for empowering local communities, including groups that typically face various systemic barriers, particularly women and youth...

However, environmentalists in Uzbekistan point out several issues associated with the construction of mini-hydropower plants, which can cause significant harm to mountain river ecosystems and may not yield the expected results.

Evgeny Simonov, a leading expert at the international public foundation Rivers without Borders, states that the construction of HPPs on the Piskom River violates protected natural territory, as the river is located within the Ugam-Chatkal National Park...

He believes that the damage to the environment caused by the construction of small HPPs will far outweigh the megawatts gained.

This view is shared by Timur Abduraupov, a zoologist and researcher at the Institute of Zoology of the Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, who also notes that the environmental damage caused by mini-HPP construction is not being adequately assessed...

Moreover, mini-hydropower plants can affect water flow, altering its regime, speed, level, temperature, and other characteristics...

To minimize these risks and ensure sustainable development, it is essential to carry out thorough impact assessments, implement modern technologies, and adhere to environmental standards, as Uzbek environmentalists have noted.