TASHKENT, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved a 100-million-U.S.-dollar loan to help Uzbekistan modernize its electricity distribution system, according to a bank statement.
The program will upgrade and digitalize 60 key substations nationwide to reduce energy losses, improve power supply reliability, and ease limits on integrating renewable energy into the grid.
By 2031, the program is expected to cut annual electricity losses at renovated substations by 20,000 megawatt-hours, enable the integration of at least 3.3 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy, and avoid nearly 23,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in emissions each year. It is also estimated to help create around 11,700 jobs within five years after the modernized facilities become operational.
The total budget for the program stands at 371 million dollars, which includes a 200-million-dollar loan approved by the Asian Development Bank on Sept. 30 and a 71-million-dollar contribution from Uzbekistan's state budget.
The project, implemented by the Joint-Stock Company National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan, supports the country's target to increase installed renewable energy capacity to 25 GW by 2030. ■
