UZBEK-CHINESE ENERGY COOPERATION

Abstract

The article is devoted to Uzbek-Chinese energy cooperation, their implementation, impact on the energy industry of the two countries.  In the future, relations between Uzbekistan and China may acquire large-scale forms. This is due to the fact that the strategic interests of Beijing and Tashkent at this stage fully coincide - both sides are interested in strengthening the regional security of Uzbekistan, and China is interested in diversifying its energy consumption.

The state visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to China in May 2017 was a new stage of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the People's Republic of China. Under Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the modernization of the hydro and thermal power industries of Uzbekistan was implemented with the help of Chinese investment.

In particular, taking into account the integrated development of the hydropower potential of Uzbekistan, the Program of Measures for the Further Development of Hydropower for 2017-2021 was adopted, according to this program, it was planned to modernize 14 and build 18 new hydropower plants. In addition, this program was aimed at modernizing the coal industry of Uzbekistan.

During the implementation of the project signed in 2010, Uzbekneftegaz and CNPC developed a project for the development of the Dengizkul, Khojidavlat and Eastern Alat gas condensate fields and the development of the Khojisayat site in the amount of 377.5 million US dollars was designed and the project was implemented in 2013-2020 and attracted foreign direct investment from the China Southern Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Corporation (CNODC).

By the end of the 4th quarter of 2020, the development and construction of fields within the framework of the project were completed and the facility was put into operation, as a result of which an additional 1 billion 3.m of natural gas was produced and the possibility of gas condensate production was created. This project included the construction of China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corporation, the commissioning of 16 wells (9 of which were re-drilled), the laying of 84 km of gas pipelines and the construction of a building for 72 people.