Uzbekistan has completed construction of a $171.4 million World Bank-backed power-grid project in the Syrdarya and Tashkent regions, including a new 500-kilovolt substation and 285 kilometers of transmission lines, although connection and commissioning work is still underway.
The Halqa substation has a capacity of 1,602 megavolt-amperes and is accompanied by 213 kilometers of 220-kilovolt lines and 72 kilometers of 500-kilovolt lines. The facilities are being connected to Uzbekistan’s unified power system and prepared for operation. No start date for full service has been announced.
The project is intended to increase the transmission network’s capacity and reliability and improve electricity flows. It is also intended to make room for connecting additional power-generation facilities. The project is part of broader efforts to modernize Uzbekistan’s electricity system and strengthen its ability to use renewable energy.
The new infrastructure is expected to support power supply in the two regions and ease pressure on the grid as electricity demand grows. Construction is finished. However, remaining connection work and technical checks mean the project is not yet fully operational.