Uzbekistan Natural Gas Energy Crisis Deepens: Methane Stations Restricted

Once an energy exporter, Uzbekistan is now struggling to keep the lights on as the winter chill bites. Uzbek authorities have imposed temporary restrictions on methane filling stations for the second time in a month, limiting operation to just 6 hours a day. The Ministry of Energy cited a critical drop in gas pipeline pressure as the primary reason for the move, which started on January 8, 2026.

Roots of the Uzbekistan Natural Gas Energy Crisis

The situation underscores a strategic shift in the region. According to International Energy Agency (IEA) data, Uzbekistan became a net importer of natural gas in 2020. By 2023, the import figure had ballooned to 241,191 TJ. Domestic consumption, which rose to 2.0 exajoules in 2024, has officially outstripped a production level of 1.52 exajoules.

Despite the shortage, Uzbekistan remains bound by export contracts, primarily with China. In the first eleven months of 2025, the country exported $624 million worth of gas while importing over $1.5 billion. To bridge the gap, the government has increasingly turned to neighbors like Turkmenistan and Russia, but these supplies have proven vulnerable to technical failures and pressure fluctuations.

Nuclear Power: The Long-term Escape Plan

To solve this energy riddle, Tashkent is betting big on nuclear energy. In September 2025, Uzbekistan and Russia expanded plans to construct high-capacity VVER-1000 units and small modular reactors (SMRs). While the first small reactor is expected in 2029, the larger units won't be operational until 2033, leaving a nearly decade-long window of energy precariousness.