Governing Renewable Energy Transitions in Uzbekistan: Strategies for Sustainable Growth in a Fossil-Fuel-Dependent Economy

Abstract

Purpose – This study investigates the governance and development of renewable energy in Uzbekistan, a country transitioning from fossil-fuel dependency toward a sustainable economic model. It addresses the urgent need for low-carbon energy strategies in Central Asia and explores how national policies, international cooperation, and technological choices are shaping Uzbekistan’s green energy pathway.
Design/methods/approach – The research adopts a qualitative descriptive design, employing grouping, comparison, analysis, and synthesis to examine secondary data from government documents, international databases, and scholarly sources. It analyzes Uzbekistan’s renewable energy framework, focusing on legal instruments, investment trends, and technological implementation between 2019 and 2024.
Findings – Uzbekistan has made substantial progress in deploying solar and wind power, supported by nearly $3 billion in foreign investments and multiple high-capacity projects under construction. The country aims to achieve 100 billion kWh of electricity generation by 2026 and reduce emissions by 10% of GDP by 2030. The findings confirm that strong policy alignment, solar resource potential, and external partnerships play a pivotal role in accelerating the energy transition.
Research implications/limitations – As a document-based study, limitations include the absence of primary field data and reliance on policy intentions rather than long-term performance indicators. Furthermore, institutional capacity gaps and infrastructure bottlenecks may challenge future scalability and generalizability across differing political contexts.
Originality/value – This paper contributes a region-specific analysis of renewable energy governance in a fossil-fuel-dependent economy. It provides a policy framework applicable to other emerging nations and highlights Uzbekistan’s role as a case study for sustainable development under post-Soviet constraints.