News

Geothermal energy in Uzbekistan, from policy to projects. Every story links to its sources.

Green tomatoes growing in a greenhouse

Policy

Greenhouses that heat with heat pumps or geothermal energy get half their winter power bill covered

A presidential resolution signed on 13 October pays 50% of October–March electricity costs for greenhouses with green heating from 1 November 2026, alongside equipment grants, cheap loans and tax breaks.

Visitors among poster boards at a research showcase

Research

First fibre-optic seismic profiles from a Leeds campus borehole

The data are usable, but the method so far detects aquifer warming only above about 25 °C.

Uzbek and Chinese representatives at a meeting table with national flags

Partnerships

Uzbekistan’s heat-supply company discusses geothermal systems with a Harbin university

Issiqlik ta’minoti presented 12 priority projects planned with foreign investors and discussed adapting geothermal systems to Uzbek conditions.

Uzbek and French specialists at a round table

Partnerships

Round table with BRGM on heating Fergana Valley cities with geothermal water

Uzbek hydrogeologists and French specialists discussed using geothermal water as a source of heat for cities of the Fergana Valley.

Shohruh Boqijonov beside his poster on a baseline fibre-optic (DAS) survey

Research

Uzbek geophysicist presents early fibre-optic monitoring results from a Leeds geothermal project

Shohruh Boqijonov showed preliminary Distributed Acoustic Sensing results at a British Geophysical Association conference in Oxford.

French and Uzbek specialists at a meeting table with a presentation screen

Partnerships

BRGM and Expertise France visit the Institute of Geology and Geophysics

The visit focused on Uzbekistan’s deep geothermal potential, the institute’s research results and future cooperation.

Geologists and specialists meeting around a conference table

Research

French and Uzbek geologists study the Fergana Valley’s geothermal potential

Geologists from the University of Geological Sciences and France’s BRGM met Uzbekgeofizika’s Fergana Geophysical Expedition to look at deep geothermal resources near Fergana, Kokand, Andijan and Namangan.

Six people posing beneath an ETH Zürich Geothermal Energy and Geofluids banner

Partnerships

Uzbek hydrogeologists agree with Swiss partners to prepare geothermal grant projects

In Zurich, O‘zbekgidrogeologiya agreed to cooperate on geothermal energy with an ETH Zürich professor, and discussed a project concept with Hydrosolutions for using energy from shallow layers around Tashkent region.

Hackathon participants and organisers posing in front of a GEOMIN conference screen

Research

Hackathon challenge: estimating underground temperatures for geothermal energy

One of the four tasks at the GEOMIN AI Labs 2026 hackathon in Tashkent asked young specialists to estimate subsurface temperature with machine learning.

Fergana Valley

Partnerships

BRGM and Expertise France discuss the Fergana Valley’s deep geothermal potential

French experts visited the Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology in Tashkent to talk about studying the valley’s deep geothermal resources and future joint projects.

Ministry officials and a Chinese delegation facing each other across a meeting table

Partnerships

Construction ministry discusses geothermal heat pumps with Chinese companies

Talks with China Railway Prefabricated Xinjiang Construction Development and Hengkang Technology Kenya covered modern heat supply, including geothermal heat pump technology.

Elbek Ochilov standing in front of a white building with the Norðurorka logo

Research

Uzbekistan’s first GRÓ geothermal fellow studies district heating, greenhouses and power plants in north Iceland

Elbek Ochilov joined a five-day field excursion of the GRÓ Geothermal Training Programme, from Europe’s highest-flow hot spring to the Krafla and Þeistareykir power stations.

Ministry officials and a water commission delegation at a meeting table

Partnerships

The geology ministry and the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination agree to sign a memorandum that covers geothermal sources

The planned memorandum includes developing geothermal sources within a water–energy–land (NEXUS) approach.

About 30 people in yellow hard hats and safety vests in front of a geothermal power plant with steaming stacks

Partnerships

GRÓ geothermal fellows, including Uzbekistan’s first, visit HS Orka’s power plants in Iceland

About 30 fellows of the UNESCO-affiliated training programme toured the Svartsengi and Reykjanes power plants and trained in sampling geothermal wells and fumaroles.

Two officials shaking hands after signing a memorandum

Partnerships

O‘zbekgidrogeologiya and Korea’s climate change institute sign a memorandum covering thermal groundwater

The memorandum, signed at a Korea–Uzbekistan energy forum, sets up joint work that includes exploring thermal groundwater deposits.

Ustyurt

Research

A critical review names Ustyurt and Karakalpakstan as priority zones for geothermal energy

The preprint, by authors at the Ministry of Energy and its renewable energy research institute, also points to reusing oil and gas wells.

2 months

Policy

Clean Air decree: geothermal heating to be studied for Tashkent’s greenhouses

The programme for Tashkent under decree UP-46 orders a two-month study of geothermal heating where greenhouses are located.

Simulated temperature field: a bright spot at the well fading to purple over 10 metres, on a 20 by 20 metre grid

Research

Modelling how heat spreads around geothermal wells in Kashkadarya

Simulations of four geothermal sources show steeper temperature gradients and wider heat spread in the soil as the source temperature rises across the 50–75 °C range studied.

A speaker presenting slides to a full forum hall

Partnerships

Uzbekistan holds its first International Geothermal Forum

Held on the initiative of the International Geothermal Association, the forum brought IGA member companies together with Uzbek ministries, Uzbekneftegaz and research institutes.

Magazine cover: snow-capped mountains under a blue sky, with the title Central Asia’s Untapped Heat: A New Geothermal Frontier

Partnerships

IGA magazine presents Uzbekistan as a potential geothermal leader in Central Asia

The January 2026 issue of GLOBAL_GT sees the fastest gains in district heating, industry and greenhouses, helped by wells left from oil and gas exploration.

Line chart: modelled electric power flat at about 32 MW for 12.5 years, then falling to about 5 MW by year 30

Research

Study co-authored by an Uzbek researcher models 32 MW of geothermal power from Tibet’s Yangbajing field

The study models three horizontal wells, one injecting water and two producing a steam–water mix, in a granite reservoir averaging 248 °C at China’s Yangbajing field.

Members of the delegation inside a plant room with pumps and pipework

Partnerships

Uzbek energy institutions study geothermal district heating in France

A delegation from the Ministry of Energy, the Reconstruction and Development Fund, Uzbekgeofizika and Issiqlik Ta’minoti spent a week with BRGM and CFG learning how geothermal heat is found, developed and fed into city heating networks.

Illustration of a heat pump unit, a solar panel and a solar water heater on grass

Policy

Subsidies for heat pumps open on the energy efficiency platform

From 1 November 2025, households can apply through esma.uzex.uz, and “green renovation” loans cover geothermal heat pumps.

Participants at a meeting table with maps

Projects

Uzbekgeofizika begins a feasibility study for a geothermal pilot

Work has started on a pilot that would use geothermal energy from water in deep wells. Partners including Hungary’s Geomax met on site at the company’s Fergana Geophysical Expedition.

Officials meeting at a long table

Partnerships

An IGA delegation holds talks at the Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology

First Deputy Minister Feruza Khamidova’s team heard the association’s plans and said the ministry is ready to cooperate on promising geothermal projects.

IGA and Uzbekneftegaz representatives at a meeting table

Partnerships

Uzbekneftegaz and the International Geothermal Association agree to form a working group

The IGA’s Director-General met Uzbekneftegaz’s leadership in Tashkent. The two will draft a roadmap for geothermal projects, including new uses for idle oil and gas wells.

Map of the South-Western Gissar region shaded from yellow to orange by temperature, with isotherms, wells, structures and the state border

Research

Temperatures and geothermal gradients of the Gissar region’s Jurassic strata

A petroleum geology paper maps present-day temperatures in the Jurassic strata of the South-Western Gissar petroleum region.

Two geophysicists with field instruments in a sandy desert

Research

Geophysicists survey Khorezm in search of petrothermal heat

Researchers are using gravity and magnetotelluric surveys to find and map hot-rock resources in the Aral Sea region.

Specialists around a long meeting table, with a document on a large screen

Projects

Uzbekgeofizika opens a new line of work on geothermal water, starting in Kokand

The geophysics company met the Recovery and Development Fund, the National Energy Efficiency Agency and Teploenergoproyekt, and set first steps for well No. 1 in Kokand.

3D resistivity model of the Gulistan area: a dark blue low-resistivity body at about 1.5–3 km depth, with a geothermal power station and two wells drawn above it

Research

Researchers point to the Gissar region for a first geothermal power plant

A 2025 study outlines staged binary-cycle units in the Gulistan area, building to 100 MW of steady, around-the-clock power.

An old wellhead with a pipe and valve

Projects

A 2,800-metre well in Kokand reaches 92 °C and could supply about 2 MW of heat

Uzenergoinspeksiya studied whether geothermal heat can be drawn from the 1964 well, and talked to Hungary’s Geomax about a Kokand geothermal heat station.

Newspaper page headlined “Geotermal energiya”

Research

Geothermal energy as a new way to make electricity: researchers write in Yangi O‘zbekiston

The article covers geothermal energy’s prospects, research under way in Uzbekistan and the Institute of Geology and Geophysics’ own work.

Uzbek delegation and hosts around a meeting table in Vienna

Partnerships

Uzbek heat-supply delegation is briefed on a Vienna housing complex to be heated and cooled with geothermal energy

A residential complex for 20,000 people will get district heating and cooling from geothermal energy and solar panels.

Map of Uzbekistan coloured by modelled depth to superhot rock, with bars showing 2, 2 and 5 GW for the 5–7.5, 7.5–10 and 10–12.5 km depth bands

Research

Superhot rock: a first look at Uzbekistan’s deepest heat

Preliminary modelling by Clean Air Task Force and the University of Twente suggests that tapping 1% of the resource could match almost all of the country’s 2021 electricity use.

Three men standing together in a meeting room

Partnerships

Navoi mining university holds the first Uzbek meeting with Iceland’s GRÓ Geothermal Training Programme

The meeting with the programme’s deputy director in Reykjavík was a first step towards promoting geothermal power in Navoi region.

Battery storage cabinet and inverter mounted on a wall

Projects

A Khorezm polyclinic swaps gas for a geothermal heat pump

Family polyclinic No. 27 in Urganch district now heats with a geothermal heat pump, backed by solar collectors, solar panels and batteries.

Newspaper page headlined “Сила недр: будущее за геотермальной энергией”

Research

“The power of the subsoil”: institute researchers write about geothermal energy in Pravda Vostoka

Rasuljon Saxobidinov and Irina Sidorova describe their assessment of heat flow, geothermal water and deep heat in parts of Uzbekistan.

40%

Policy

A new decree subsidises 40% of the cost of heat pumps, geothermal ones included

Decree UP-63 creates a National Energy Efficiency Agency, which from 1 July 2025 covers part of the cost of household energy-saving equipment.

10,000–30,000

Projects

IFC seeks consultants for a networked ground-source heat pump study in Uzbekistan

The feasibility assessment concerns a utility-scale networked geothermal system for 10,000–30,000 homes at one site.

Uzbek officials and a Chinese delegation at a meeting table

Partnerships

The Ministry of Energy and China’s Sinoma EC agree to pursue joint geothermal projects

The ministry and the Chinese company agreed to carry out joint geothermal energy projects in Uzbekistan’s regions.

110 ha

Partnerships

Türkiye plans a 110-hectare geothermal greenhouse in Namangan region

The plan is among the agricultural agreements reached during the president’s visit to Türkiye, the Ministry of Agriculture said.

Neil McKain of IFC in front of an IFC banner

Projects

IFC is exploring shallow geothermal heating and cooling for buildings in Uzbekistan

The IFC’s regional manager says it is mapping licensing and permits and the local production and distribution of heat pumps.

Round-table participants at a conference table

Partnerships

Ministry of Economy and Finance co-hosts a round table on geothermal energy

Officials and an international lender’s team discussed potential sites for geothermal projects, regulation, financing and jobs.

34 jobs

Partnerships

IFC vice president: Central Asia, Uzbekistan included, suits geothermal heating and cooling

In an opinion article, Hela Cheikhrouhou says the region’s subsurface suits geothermal technologies and that the IFC supports shallow geothermal projects there.

A woman seated at a meeting table

Partnerships

Ecology minister and IFC vice president discuss geothermal energy to cut gas and power use

The talks, on the sidelines of the Tashkent International Investment Forum, noted geothermal energy’s potential to reduce electricity and natural gas consumption.

Delegation members exchanging signed documents in front of Hungarian and Uzbek flags

Partnerships

Surkhandarya agrees with a cluster in Hungary on investment in solar, geothermal and biomass energy

The agreement with the ArchEnerg cluster covers potential investment of up to €500,000.

Officials signing the agreement at a round table

Partnerships

France’s geological survey signs a cooperation agreement with Uzbekistan

BRGM and the Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology set out a framework for joint research and training. Geothermal energy and CO₂ storage are on the list.

A speaker at a lectern beside IFC banners

Partnerships

A Tashkent seminar looks at shallow geothermal energy for heating and cooling buildings

The Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology and the IFC brought local and foreign experts together.

Two schematic diagrams: thermal water from a well diluted with tap water for sanatorium buildings today, and a cascade from a production well through household hot water, pools, greenhouses, fish ponds and algae ponds

Research

Where Uzbekistan already uses geothermal water

A review from the Institute HYDROENGEO puts projected resources to 5–6 km at four to six times those of hydrocarbons, and documents fields already in use.

Diagram of a reservoir block with an injection well in the centre and four production wells at the corners, wellbore cross-sections, and a binary power plant schematic

Research

Study co-authored by an Uzbek researcher models a five-well geothermal power design for China’s Fengshun field

The Renewable Energy paper models how five wells and a binary power plant could make electricity from medium-low temperature water.

Tender

Projects

The Institute of Geology and Geophysics tenders for field equipment for a geothermal project

The equipment is for the project of developing renewable geothermal energy in Uzbekistan.

1 GW

Research

World Bank climate report puts Uzbekistan’s theoretical geothermal potential at 1 GW

The Country Climate and Development Report sees heat pumps and district heating decarbonising heat, with geothermal among the other renewables that could play a role.

€2.3 bn

Partnerships

Deputy energy minister: agreements from the 2023 Germany visit include geothermal stations

Umid Mamadaminov said five agreements worth €2.3 billion concerned photovoltaic, wind and geothermal stations and digitalising the energy sector.

A hand holding a digital thermometer in water gushing from a geothermal source

Research

Researchers size a geothermal heat-pump heating system for Kashkadarya

Researchers from Karshi and Bukhara measured well water in four districts and propose a hybrid heating scheme built around a heat pump.

A researcher presenting slides to colleagues in a meeting room

Research

Final report on a project to find geothermal anomalies with geophysical sounding

The Institute of Geology and Geophysics’ Scientific Council heard I. P. Sidorova’s final report on the project.

Map of Uzbekistan coloured by heat flow density, from below 30 to 200 mW/m², with measurement points; the highest values are in the west, near the Amu Darya

Research

A method for pinpointing geothermal anomalies, tested at Muruntau

A 2023 paper combines a new geothermal map with gravity, seismic and magnetotelluric surveys to detail the heat anomaly at Muruntau, where a station could supply a new settlement for the gold quarry.

Members of a scientific council seated around tables in a meeting room

Research

The Institute of Geology and Geophysics reviews its geothermal anomalies project

The 2019–2023 project, led by I. P. Sidorova, studies geothermal anomalies in the Kyzylkum, Hissar and Almalyk–Angren regions.

Ministry news card showing a press club session around a long table

Policy

Hydrogeologists advise on using geothermal groundwater efficiently at a press club session

Specialists of the Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology presented their research at an O‘zLiDeP press club session on renewable energy.

Historic domes and a minaret in Bukhara

Research

IEA solar roadmap lists geothermal’s potential in Uzbekistan

A table in the roadmap gives geothermal a gross potential of 2,805 × 10³ PJ but a technical potential of 13 PJ.

3D

Research

A 3D look beneath Muruntau

Gravity, seismic and magnetotelluric surveys let geophysicists model the deep structure around Muruntau and choose well sites for a planned geothermal station.

50–100 °C

Research

An engineer makes the case for geothermal energy in Uzbekistan

Writing on Yuz.uz, National University of Uzbekistan lecturer Shukhrat Botirov says geothermal energy could take one of the leading places among the country’s renewables.

Aerial view of Tashkent

Research

IEA energy profile: a large geothermal resource, but no geothermal power yet

The International Energy Agency’s Uzbekistan energy profile puts gross geothermal potential above solar’s, but technical potential at only 0.3 Mtoe.

Delegations seated at a long meeting table

Partnerships

Uzbek and Tajik geologists discuss a geophysical study of the Adrasman–Chust thermal anomaly

A joint working group put a geophysical study of the anomaly on its agenda, including an assessment of whether geothermal energy can be obtained from it.

MoU

Partnerships

Uzbekistan’s project management agency and Finland’s Kauko sign a geothermal memorandum

The memorandum provides for applying a geothermal energy solution and for jointly looking for ways to use geothermal sources in Uzbekistan.

Draft decree

Policy

A draft decree proposes an agency to roll out solar, wind and geothermal technology

The draft presidential decree, published for public discussion, would create a renewable energy development agency under the Cabinet of Ministers.