"We have no choice but to raise tariffs to cover expenses," stated the Minister of Finance.

The Minister of Economy and Finance announced that subsidizing gas and electricity prices from the state budget is set to end in 2028, as discussed in the Senate of the Oliy Majlis during the deliberation of the state budget law for 2025.

According to him, the situation with price subsidies arises because tariffs have not been raised in Uzbekistan for many years. Electricity, gas, and thermal energy—each product must cover its costs and generate a certain profit for further development.

There was a situation where to increase tariffs, it was necessary to first raise the income of the population to a certain level. It was concluded that people should first receive adequate income, as money is needed to pay for tariffs.

Over these years, we have halved the number of poor people. All of this has created a foundation for tariff reforms in the energy sector. To pay the increased tariff, each family must have corresponding income, — Jamshid Kuchkarov.

The head of the Ministry of Economy and Finance stated that tariffs have not yet reached a level that fully covers costs.

We import part of our gas. Therefore, we have no choice but to raise tariffs, which will fully cover expenses. This year, tariffs have been increased, and the proposal to raise tariffs again from April 1, 2025, was approved by a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers. God willing, these tariffs will increase next year starting April 1, — said the Vice Prime Minister.

In 2025, it is planned to allocate 7 trillion sums for gas subsidies and 500 billion sums for electricity. In 2024, 12 trillion sums are scheduled to be directed to these sectors.

If you ask when the provision of these subsidies will cease, it will continue in 2025-2026, sharply decrease in 2027, and I hope that from 2028, subsidies from the state budget will be terminated, — he assured.

The Minister stated that the outcomes of the reforms in the energy sector will be the establishment of retail and wholesale markets for electricity and gas. Then there will be no need to allocate subsidies for this sector from the state budget.

Earlier in Uzbekistan, applications began to be accepted for compensation for electricity and gas. This will be in effect for several months.