Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Russian gas giant Gazprom has significantly increased its gas exports to Central Asia, according to Alexey Miller, the head of the state company, during a meeting with the leadership of its subsidiaries.

The socio-economic development of the region is driving increased energy consumption and creating new opportunities for cooperation. Over the first eight months of this year, Russian gas supplies to Central Asia have doubled. For instance, requests for gas supplies to Uzbekistan via the Central Asia-Center pipeline are being met at the maximum technically possible level.

Miller noted that gas exports to Uzbekistan have reached levels seen during the winter season of 2023-2024, which was marked by abnormal cold temperatures.

Miller also highlighted that China remains a key market for Gazprom. Since the beginning of the year, gas supplies via the Power of Siberia pipeline have increased by 37%, with a target to reach the designed capacity of 38 billion cubic meters by 2025.

From January to July, Uzbekistan imported natural gas worth US$983.7 million, nearly five times more than the previous year.

Uzbekistan and Gazprom have signed a two-year contract for natural gas supplies. Under this agreement, Gazprom will supply 9 million cubic meters of gas per day, totaling approximately 2.8 billion cubic meters per year.

Since October 2023, Gazprom has been supplying gas to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan. Uzbekistan is purchasing Russian gas to partially cover its blue fuel deficit during the autumn-winter period. The country is also interested in increasing its gas imports from Russia and plans to develop long-term cooperation in this area.

Uzbekistan plans to modernize its main gas pipeline system to increase gas import volumes to the northern regions between 2024 and 2030. The first phase of the program is estimated to cost $500 million, and upon completion, Uzbekistan will be able to import up to 32 million cubic meters of gas per day to the northern regions.

According to the strategic cooperation agreement between Gazprom PJSC and the government of Kazakhstan, the annual volume of Russian gas transportation to Uzbekistan will be increased from 1.28 billion cubic meters in 2023 to 3.8 billion cubic meters in 2024.