Uzbekistan supports the integration of the power systems of Central Asian countries and China

[冖_冖]

China, Central Asian countries discuss unified power grid project — deputy energy minister of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan began calculations for building cross-border power transmission lines to China via Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Deputy energy minister Umid Mamadaminov said that the project aimed to unite the region’s power systems and enable energy exchange based on seasonal fluctuations.

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Umid Mamadaminov

China, Central Asian countries discuss unified power grid project — deputy energy minister of Uzbekistan​

Uzbekistan began calculations for building cross-border power transmission lines to China via Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Deputy energy minister Umid Mamadaminov said that the project aimed to unite the region’s power systems and enable energy exchange based on seasonal fluctuations.​

Today, 12:16 Economy

Uzbekistan supports the integration of the power systems of Central Asian countries and China, deputy energy minister Umid Mamadaminov stated in an interview with the Uzbekistan 24 TV channel.

During the second Central Asia-China summit held in Astana on 17 June, president of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed exploring the synchronization of regional power grids, including the implementation of a large-scale project to construct high-voltage transmission lines.

“Infrastructure and energy were among the most pressing topics at this summit. Our president specifically raised the issue of creating an [energy] corridor connecting China with the countries of Central Asia. This is a very important matter both for us and for China,” Mamadaminov said.

According to him, Uzbekistan already began calculations for building high-voltage cross-border power transmission lines through Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan toward China. The country previously launched a similar green energy corridor project toward Europe via Azerbaijan.

President Mirziyoyev, deputy minister noted, emphasized the importance of connecting the power grids of Central Asia and China and establishing unified infrastructure.

“This is a very large-scale project. Electricity generated in Central Asian countries could partially meet the growing demand in China,” Mamadaminov said.

He also pointed to the potential for bilateral energy exchange depending on seasonal fluctuations: “In winter, when gas is in short supply, we could import electricity from China during times of surplus”.

As part of the summit, a dedicated Power Central Asia + China forum was held, where participants discussed modern technologies, including smart grid and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) lines.

“We are talking about building HVDC lines and integrating smart grid technologies into the power system. China’s experience in modernizing its networks was also reviewed,” the deputy minister noted.

Following the discussions, the parties agreed to work together on integrating renewable energy sources, increasing power system resilience and establishing a reliable management system.

In 2024, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan signed a memorandum and protocol on the green energy corridor project. Azerbaijan planned to lay a cable along the bottom of the Black Sea to connect Central Asia, the Caucasus, Europe, the Caspian and Black Seas into a single energy corridor. The countries' transmission system operators established a joint venture to implement the project.

Starting in 2030, Uzbekistan plans to export surplus green electricity generated within the country to Europe.

 

[冖_冖]

EDB outlines conditions for Central Asian electricity exports to China (Exclusive)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 3. Electricity exports from Central Asia to China could become a long-term strategic option for the region, but their implementation would require confirmed demand, clear…

www.trend.az

EDB outlines conditions for Central Asian electricity exports to China (Exclusive)​

Central Asia News 3 November 2026 22:03 (UTC +04:00)

Photo: KAZAKH INVEST

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 3. Electricity exports from Central Asia to China could become a long-term strategic option for the region, but their implementation would require confirmed demand, clear commercial terms, and an assessment of technical feasibility.

This is stated in the report by the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), "Energy Without Borders: Architecture of Energy Connectivity in Central Asia," provided exclusively to Trend.

According to the report, China has extensive experience in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission technologies, renewable energy, grid construction and battery energy storage systems. This could give Central Asian countries potential access to capital, technology and new markets.

However, the eastward route should currently be viewed as a strategic project option rather than an established export corridor. The publicly available materials used in the report do not confirm a potential buyer, supply volumes, a route, a technical configuration, a commercial model, or the allocation of risks.

"The Chinese market is not homogeneous. The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is geographically close to Central Asia, but proximity does not automatically translate into demand for imported electricity. China is actively developing its own generation capacity, ultra-high-voltage grids, renewable energy and interregional transmission lines. The practical question, therefore, is whether there is a specific creditworthy buyer, a connection point, a pricing formula and a long-term contractual model," the report states.

From a technical perspective, electricity transmission eastward would likely require HVDC technology or another controllable grid interconnection scheme. Such solutions allow power flows to be managed and help reduce risks to grid stability without requiring the power systems to operate in strict synchronization.


However, the necessary infrastructure would require substantial capital investment and large, guaranteed electricity supply volumes, the report notes.

Another key consideration is how an export project would be integrated into Central Asia’s regional power system. According to the EDB, a model focused exclusively on exporting electricity from individual large power plants could have limited benefits for the region’s interconnected grid.

By contrast, integrating the eastward route into the broader regional energy system could increase the economic value of renewable energy, create additional external demand, build expertise in HVDC technologies and attract investment.

Realizing this potential would require a separate preliminary feasibility study, confirmation of buyer interest, an assessment of technical standards and an analysis of the potential impact of exports on the reliability of electricity supplies within Central Asia.

The EDB emphasizes that developing the region’s interconnected power system remains a necessary foundation for export projects. Coordinated efforts by Central Asian countries could strengthen the region’s negotiating position and reduce the dependence of potential electricity exports on a single external buyer.