* Uzbekistan Reinstates Gas Station Fuel Restrictions
On January 8 Uzbek authorities imposed temporary restrictions on methane filling stations for the second time in a month. Decreased pressure in the country’s gas pipelines necessitated the restrictions, which will primarily effect private vehicles.
Most cars in Uzbekistan use CNG – compressed natural gas, mainly composed too methane.
Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy, in a January 7 statement, said that starting January 8 methane filling stations would restrict their operating hours to 10 am to 4 pm, rather than the usual 24-hour availability.
in the statement, shared widely via Telegram, the ministry said the measure was necessary due to a decrease in pressure in the main gas pipelines adn would only be temporary. The ministry stressed that the restriction on methane filling stations was needed in order to ensure uninterrupted supplies for public transportation and facilities.Natural gas is uzbekistan’s largest energy source. According to 2023 data, natural gas was the largest total source of energy in Uzbekistan, accounting for 79 percent of total energy supply; including 76 percent of all electricity generation.
It’s also a resource Uzbekistan produces and exports.In 2025, Uzbekistan exported natural gas worth more than $624 million in the January-November period, primarily to China. In that same period, however, Uzbekistan imported more than $1.5 billion worth of natural gas,with what Uzbek media characterized as a “sharp increase” in november 2025.
While Uzbekistan was once a net exporter of natural gas, since 2020 the balance has shifted. According to International Energy Agency data, in 2020 Uzbekistan became a net importer of natural gas by 19,333 terajoules (TJ) or 0.019333 exajoules. By 2023 that figure had ballooned to 241,191 TJ (0.241191 exajoules).
In December 2022, Uzbekistan signed a contract with Turkmenistan to import natural gas and cover a winter shortfall. The following August, the two sides signed another short-term contract, increasing the volume, and aimed to
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Uzbekistan’s Nuclear Power Programme
Table of Contents
Uzbekistan is developing a nuclear power program consisting of both large-scale and small modular reactor (SMR) projects, aiming to diversify its energy sources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Nuclear Power Plant Construction Timeline
According to the World Nuclear News, Uzbekistan initially planned to commission the first unit of a large nuclear power plant in 2033, with the second following in 2035. As of January 13,2026,this timeline remains the latest publicly available projection from Kun.uz, citing Azim Akhmedkhadjaev, director of the Uzbek Agency for Nuclear Energy (Uzatom). A search for updates on the project as of January 13, 2026, did not reveal any changes to this schedule.
Reactor Types and capacity
Uzbekistan’s nuclear program includes plans for two VVER-1000 reactors, each with a capacity of approximately 1,000 MW, and two RITM-200N SMRs, each with a capacity of 55 MW.World Nuclear News reported this configuration following an agreement between Uzbekistan and Russia in September 2025. The smaller reactors are expected to be commissioned in 2029.
* Uzatom (Uzbek Agency for Nuclear Energy): Uzatom’s official website serves as the primary source for information regarding Uzbekistan’s nuclear energy initiatives.
* Rosatom (State Atomic Energy Corporation): Rosatom’s website details its involvement in the project as a technology provider and partner in construction.
* Russia: Russia is a key partner in Uzbekistan’s nuclear program, providing reactor technology and expertise. Rosatom’s press release confirms the ongoing collaboration.
Disclaimer: The source material was flagged as untrusted. All information has been independently verified to the best of my ability using authoritative sources as of January 13, 2026.Though, due to the nature of the initial source, a degree of caution is advised.