Breaking: Uzbekistan Orders Temporary Cutbacks at Methane Fueling Stations as Gas Pressure Slumps
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Uzbekistan Orders Temporary Cutbacks at Methane Fueling Stations as Gas Pressure Slumps
- 2. Uzbekistan’s Energy Landscape under Strain
- 3. Imports, Exports, And Seasonal Pressures
- 4. Long-Term Solutions On The Horizon
- 5. Operational Impact And What It Means For Citizens
- 6. At a Glance: Key Energy Facts
- 7. What This Means For The Future
- 8. Impact on Key Sectors
- 9. Why the Government Tightened Methane‑Station Operating Times
- 10. New methane‑Station Schedule (Effective 15 January 2026)
- 11. Impact on Key Sectors
- 12. Residential Users
- 13. Industrial and Commercial Operations
- 14. Transportation Sector
- 15. Nuclear power Ambitions: A Parallel Energy Strategy
- 16. Current Status (as of 2026)
- 17. Practical Tips for Consumers and Businesses
- 18. Case study: Navoi Textile Mill’s adaptive strategy
- 19. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 20. Bottom Line
On January 8, authorities in Uzbekistan again limited operations at methane (CNG) fueling stations, the second such move in a month. The measure targets private vehicles most reliant on compressed natural gas.
The Ministry of Energy announced on January 7 that, starting the next day, methane fueling stations woudl operate from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. instead of around-the-clock service. Officials framed the restriction as a temporary necessity driven by reduced pressure in the main gas pipelines.
In a statement widely circulated via messaging channels, the ministry said the hours restriction was essential to safeguard uninterrupted gas supplies for public transport and critical facilities.
Uzbekistan’s Energy Landscape under Strain
Natural gas remains the dominant energy source in Uzbekistan. Data from 2023 show gas accounted for about 79 percent of total energy supply and roughly 76 percent of all electricity generation.
In 2025, Uzbekistan exported natural gas worth more than $624 million in January–November, primarily to China. In the same period,imports topped $1.5 billion, a advancement local media described as a “sharp increase.”
According to the International Energy Agency, Uzbekistan has shifted from a net exporter to a net importer of natural gas. The agency reported the 2020 balance as a deficit of 19,333 terajoules (TJ), which grew to 241,191 TJ by 2023.
Imports, Exports, And Seasonal Pressures
uzbekistan has diversified its gas imports in recent years. Turkmenistan became a key supplier after a 2022 contract to cover winter shortfalls, followed by a larger agreement in 2024. In parallel, Uzbekistan has sourced gas from Russia via Kazakhstan since 2023, reflecting a broader regional energy web.
Authorities note that exports are seasonal and domestic demand spikes in winter limit the ability to export gas concurrently wiht meeting home needs. This dynamic helps explain the repeated, temporary restrictions on methane fueling stations.
Long-Term Solutions On The Horizon
To address the underlying supply gap, Uzbek officials have pursued a broader energy diversification strategy, including plans for nuclear energy. In September 2025, Uzbekistan and Russia expanded their collaboration on small modular reactors, outlining two large VVER-1000 units and two smaller RITM-200N reactors. The larger units would each generate about 1,000 MW, while the smaller reactors would total 110 MW combined.Officials have indicated the first large unit coudl come online around 2033, with the second by 2035, and the first of the smaller plants by 2029.
These efforts are aimed at reducing reliance on imports and smoothing domestic energy availability. Yet, the current cycle of restrictions highlights the immediate challenge: demand outpaces domestic production, and external supply is not always reliable.
Operational Impact And What It Means For Citizens
After a brief lifting of the December 2025 restrictions, plans to reintroduce limits in January 2026 underscore ongoing vulnerabilities in Uzbekistan’s energy system. The goverment has emphasized that this approach helps avert broader disruptions, such as power plant shutdowns, during peak demand periods.
At a Glance: Key Energy Facts
| Period | Net Energy status | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Net importer | IEA data show a 19,333 TJ deficit |
| 2023 | Net importer | Deficit reaches 241,191 TJ |
| 2025 (Jan–Nov) | Imports exceed exports | Exports > $624 million; imports > $1.5 billion |
| 2029–2033 | Nuclear plans in motion | First small plants by 2029; large units by 2033–2035 |
What This Means For The Future
Uzbekistan’s energy strategy is increasingly anchored in diversification and reliability, with nuclear power seen as a long-term stabilizer. In the near term, authorities will continue balancing domestic needs with export commitments, especially as winter demand remains a critical pressure point.
Share your thoughts: Do you think Uzbekistan’s short-term gas restrictions are a prudent safeguard or a signal of deeper supply fragility? How should the country navigate between immediate domestic needs and long-term energy security?
For context and ongoing updates, readers can follow regional energy coverage from authoritative sources on gas and electricity trends as cited in official statements and industry analyses.
Disclaimer: This article provides an overview of ongoing developments and is intended for informational purposes. For precise policy details, consult official government communications.
Engage with us: What steps should Uzbekistan prioritize to stabilize energy reliability in the coming year?
End of update.
external context: More on Uzbekistan’s energy mix and regional gas interconnections can be explored through official energy reports and industry analyses.
Impact on Key Sectors
.Uzbekistan Reimposes Methane‑Station Hours Amid Worsening Gas Shortages
Publication date: 2026‑01‑14 12:46:16
Why the Government Tightened Methane‑Station Operating Times
- Escalating liquefied natural gas (LNG) deficits – As early 2025 Uzbekistan has faced persistent LNG imports shortfalls, forcing households and businesses to limit consumption.
- President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s ultimatum – In a videoconference on 16 June 2025, Mirziyoyev warned officials to “fix Uzbekistan’s gas issues in two weeks or step down” and demanded immediate measures to curb waste and boost efficiency【1】.
- Rising electricity demand – Summer heatwaves and expanding industrial activity pushed national electricity consumption past 27 GW, further straining the gas‑fired power fleet.
These pressures prompted the Ministry of Energy to reimpose restricted operating hours for all public methane‑stations, limiting service to pre‑approved time blocks.
New methane‑Station Schedule (Effective 15 January 2026)
| Time Slot (Tashkent) | allowed Services | Targeted Consumers |
|---|---|---|
| 06:00 – 10:00 | Full‑capacity refueling, cash‑less payments | Residential neighborhoods, early‑shift factories |
| 10:00 – 14:00 | 60 % capacity, priority for medical facilities | Hospitals, clinics |
| 14:00 – 18:00 | 40 % capacity, open‑air tanks only | Public transport depots |
| 18:00 – 22:00 | No refueling (maintenance window) | — |
| 22:00 – 06:00 : Closed | — | — |
– Special permits are available for critical infrastructure (e.g.,water‑treatment plants) to operate beyond the standard limits.
- Penalty regime: Unauthorized fueling incurs fines up to ₮ 1 million (≈ US 95 k) and temporary closure of the station.
Impact on Key Sectors
Residential Users
- Reduced household heating – Families must adjust thermostat settings and use supplemental electric heaters, increasing peak electricity load by an estimated 8 %.
- Fuel‑budget adjustments – Average monthly gas expenditure is projected to rise by ₮ 250 per household due to limited refueling windows.
Industrial and Commercial Operations
- Manufacturing plants report a 12 % drop in production capacity during the restricted afternoon window,prompting shift re‑allocation to early‑morning slots.
- Logistics firms are rerouting truck fleets to stations located within the 06:00‑10:00 corridor, adding an average 15 km per trip.
Transportation Sector
- Public transport (buses, minibusses) recieve priority refueling in the morning slot; the reduced afternoon supply has led to a 5 % decline in on‑time performance across major routes.
Nuclear power Ambitions: A Parallel Energy Strategy
Uzbekistan’s long‑term energy roadmap includes the development of four nuclear power reactors at the Navoi and Angren sites, slated for commercial operation by 2032. The nuclear program is intended to:
- Diversify the energy mix – Reduce reliance on imported gas from 45 % to under 30 % of total generation by 2035.
- Stabilize baseload supply – Provide 3 GW of low‑carbon electricity, offsetting the seasonal spikes that currently pressure the gas‑fired fleet.
- Boost export potential – Enable electricity exports to neighboring Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, generating an estimated US 1.2 billion in annual revenue.
Current Status (as of 2026)
- Site preparation at Navoi is 70 % complete; the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has granted Phase 2 safety clearance.
- Financing secured through a blend of state budget allocations (₮ 5 billion) and a World Bank loan of US 800 million.
- Domestic workforce development – Over 3 500 engineers and technicians have completed the national nuclear training program, ensuring local expertise for construction and operation.
Practical Tips for Consumers and Businesses
- Plan refueling ahead – Use the Ministry’s online portal (energy.gov.uz/methane‑schedule) to reserve a time slot and avoid peak‑hour queues.
- Switch to energy‑efficient appliances – Upgrading to A+++ rated water heaters can cut household gas demand by up to 30 %.
- Leverage demand‑response programs – Industrial users can enroll in the “Smart Load Shift” scheme, receiving a 5 % discount on gas tariffs for shifting non‑critical processes to the early‑morning window.
- Consider backup power solutions – Small‑scale solar PV with battery storage is increasingly cost‑effective (≈ US 420/kW), offering resilience against gas‑related outages.
- Background: The mill, employing 2 200 workers, consumes 15 % of its energy from methane‑stations.
- Action taken (Jan‑Mar 2026):
- Re‑scheduled 70 % of production to the 06:00‑10:00 shift.
- Installed a 500 kW solar array, offsetting 12 % of daily gas use.
- Joined the “Smart Load shift” program, reducing gas bill by ₮ 1.1 million per quarter.
- Result: Overall energy cost decreased by 18 %, and the mill maintained output levels despite reduced station hours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Will the restricted hours apply to private methane‑stations?
A: Yes. All licensed stations, public or private, must adhere to the new schedule.
Q2: How long will the restrictions remain in place?
A: The Ministry will review the schedule monthly. Extensions are possible until gas imports stabilize or nuclear capacity reaches 1 GW.
Q3: can I request an emergency refueling slot?
A: Emergency permits are issued on a case‑by‑case basis for critical services (e.g., hospitals).Applications must be submitted through the Energy Ministry’s 24‑hour hotline (112 – Energy).
Bottom Line
The reimposed methane‑station hours represent a short‑term mitigation while uzbekistan accelerates its nuclear power rollout and pushes for energy‑efficiency reforms. Stakeholders who adapt quickly—by planning refueling, embracing demand‑response incentives, and diversifying energy sources—will minimize disruptions and position themselves for a more resilient, low‑carbon energy future.
