JICA supported adoption of the Law “On Energy Saving, Its Rational Use and Improvement of Energy Efficiency of Uzbekistan”

On August 7, 2024, President of Uzbekistan Sh.Mirziyoyev has signed the Law “On Energy Saving, Its Rational Use and Improvement of Energy Efficiency of Uzbekistan”. It consolidates the updated strategic view on energy conservation approach in the country through implementation of specific target-oriented measures for different sectors of economy.

It is worth to note that this Law was initially drafted with the direct support of JICA’s advisor and consultant team together with specialists of Ministry of Energy in December 2023 and is based on the Japanese Revised Act on Rationalizing Energy Use of April 1, 2023. It was reviewed and concurred with 12 state organizations, 14 khokimiyats of the regions and Tashkent city as well as approved by Legislative Chamber and adopted by Senate of Uzbekistan. As a result, 78% of the content of drafted law was reflected in the adopted law in exactly the same way or with minor rephrasing and revisions.

The Interagency review process demonstrated that the government organization shared common views on the importance of implementing energy efficiency measures in the economic sectors. This is the first law in energy sector that has gone through a full cycle of review and was adopted just in 8 months after its drafting.
The adopted law is well structured and simplified in order to deliver clear and understandable provisions that balanced from regulatory and technical points of view. The adopted law also covers the authorities of state bodies, Energy Service Company’s contract, financing mechanisms of energy efficiency measures through Intersectorial Energy Saving Fund, as well as responsibilities for violations based on its types.

According to the analysis, the implementation of measures in this Law would help to reach Uzbekistan's target of 20% energy efficiency in coming years, save significant amount of natural gas and reduce the inefficient consumption of energy sources. The adoption of the Law signifies not only the concrete steps toward compliance of national legislation to the best international standards, but also demonstrates practical and mutually beneficial ways of cooperation of Japanese Government through JICA with Uzbekistan partners.

Overall, efficient collaboration of JICA with Uzbekistan partners on this law on energy efficiency allowed to reflect in it the most advanced standards and requirements of Japan in the sphere of energy efficiency as well as lay down the foundation for introduction of Japanese technologies in the upcoming years during its further implementation.