As part of Uzbekhydroenergo JSC’s strategic objectives to expand the country’s hydropower potential, projects to build large, small, and micro hydropower plants are actively progressing in various regions of Uzbekistan.

Source: UZDaily

One of the most ambitious initiatives in this programme is the construction of the Norin Hydropower Cascade in the Namangan region on the Norin River.

The project involves the construction of six hydropower plants, each with a capacity of 38 MW, resulting in a total installed capacity of 228 MW.

On 6 July, the construction site was visited by a delegation led by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov. The delegation also included Minister of Energy Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, Minister of Water Resources Shavkat Khamraev, Governor of Namangan Region Shavkat Abdurazzakov, and other high-ranking officials.

During the visit, detailed information was presented on the project’s progress, including completed works, construction stages, technical specifications of the facilities, and expected completion timelines.

Chairman of the Board of Uzbekhydroenergo JSC, Abdugani Sanginov, reported that the first plant in the cascade – HPP-1 – is planned to be commissioned before the celebration of the 34th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence. Currently, intensive work is ongoing at the construction site in accordance with the approved schedule.

It is noteworthy that the Norin HPP project is the largest hydropower facility ever built in the history of Namangan region. Its uniqueness lies not only in its scale and capacity but also in the fact that it is being fully implemented using Uzbekhydroenergo’s own funds without any external financing.

All design, construction, and installation works are being carried out by domestic organisations, and the main equipment is being manufactured at the UzHydroPower plant located in the Bostanlyk district of Tashkent region. The plant is part of Uzbekhydroenergo JSC and produces equipment under the “Made in Uzbekistan” brand.

Thus, the Norin Cascade becomes the country’s first fully “national” hydropower project, based entirely on internal engineering and production capabilities.

Once operating at full capacity, the Norin HPPs will generate approximately 1,025 million kWh of clean electricity annually, enough to supply around 430,000 households with power.

Additionally, the project is expected to save about 277 million cubic metres of natural gas each year. This project will not only strengthen the region’s energy independence but will also make a significant contribution to the sustainable socio-economic development of Namangan region, helping to improve the living standards of its population.