President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been briefed on project presentations related to waste processing, electricity generation, and the production of goods from waste.
In our country, 14 million tons of waste are generated annually. However, only 4-5 percent of this waste is recycled. More than 7 million tons of greenhouse gases and 43 thousand tons of toxic leachate, formed at waste landfills, are released into the atmosphere and seep into the soil.
By recycling waste, we can both reduce its impact on nature and generate profit. With this goal in mind, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, in collaboration with foreign investors, has developed a number of projects. Plans are in place to construct 8 waste incineration plants and process landfill gas at the Akhangaran landfill, with an investment of approximately 1 billion 300 million dollars.
For example, thanks to direct investments of 350 million dollars from the Chinese company "CAMC Engineering", two plants will be built in Andijan and Tashkent regions. These plants will process 4 thousand tons of waste per day and generate 630 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
Another Chinese company, "Shanghai SUS Environment," has also shown interest in this sector. It plans to invest 310 million dollars in direct investments to construct two plants in Samarkand and Kashkadarya regions. These facilities will process 3 thousand tons of waste daily and produce 480 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year.
With funding from the UAE's "Tadweer Group" amounting to 200 million dollars, one plant will be built for the Bukhara and Navoi regions. This facility will have the capacity to process 1.5 thousand tons of waste each day and generate 363 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
A significant project is also underway with the participation of the South Korean company "Sejin." This project involves an investment of 55 million dollars to generate electricity from gas produced at the municipal waste landfill in the Akhangaran district of Tashkent region. The plant is expected to have a capacity of 16 megawatts.
Overall, the implementation of these projects will ensure the rational use of solid household waste. More than 4.7 million tons of waste will be incinerated annually, producing 2 billion 100 million kilowatt-hours of electricity worth 97 million US dollars. This will also save 152 million cubic meters of natural gas and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2.4 million tons. Additionally, 1,200 new jobs will be created.
The projects are expected to be realized between 2025 and 2027 in the Andijan, Bukhara, Jizzakh, Kashkadarya, Navoi, Namangan, Samarkand, Syrdarya, Fergana, Tashkent regions, and the city of Tashkent.
The head of state emphasized the social significance of these projects.
- These are not just factories; they are one of the crucial issues. The suitability of our lands and waters, the health of our population, air quality, and energy stability depend on this sector. If waste is collected properly and recycled more, the ecological balance will improve, nature will become cleaner, and society will change, - highlighted Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
In this regard, responsible officials have been tasked with making these projects exemplary and increasing their numbers in the regions.
Currently, investors and producers primarily focus on ensuring energy supply for their enterprises. Therefore, it is advisable to locate new construction material and organic fertilizer plants near waste processing facilities. This will benefit both the entrepreneur and the investor.
A task has been set to develop a "roadmap" for increasing the quantity and balanced development of such projects across all regions.
This sector is being systematically improved in our country. By a decree from the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated September 26 of this year, the Agency for Waste Management and Development of Circular Economy has been established.
The Agency will focus on implementing modern methods for waste collection, sorting, disposal, recycling, incineration, utilization, and destruction. The development of a circular economy will stabilize the ecological situation, improve sanitary conditions, and reduce the incidence of dangerous diseases among the population. Alternative energy, raw materials, and organic fertilizers will be produced from waste. Eco-industrial zones will be established on landfill sites.