Uzbekistan’s energy sector showed signs of strength in the first quarter of 2025, with notable increases in coal, gasoline, diesel fuel, and natural gas output, even as crude oil production continued to decline.

According to fresh data from the National Statistics Committee, coal production surged by more than 25%, reaching over 1.21 million tons during the January–March period. The sharp uptick reflects growing momentum in the mining sector, which has become a key pillar of the nation’s energy strategy.

However, crude oil production fell by 10.22% compared to the same period last year, totaling just 160,800 tons. The decline weighed heavily on gasoline output, with automotive fuel production dropping 15.61% to about 304,000 tons. Compared to 2023, the gasoline shortfall is even steeper, exceeding a 21% decrease.

Natural gas production also faced headwinds, slipping 2.76% to 11.32 billion cubic meters. On a broader scale, that marks an 8.1% decline year-over-year. Yet, there was a bright spot: for the first time in three and a half years, Uzbekistan recorded an uptick in monthly gas production in March, signaling a potential turnaround after prolonged declines.

Production of gas condensate, a crucial byproduct in the energy chain, was not spared either, falling by more than 9.4% to 296,600 tons.

Diesel fuel production, which had plummeted by nearly 40% in January and February, showed a notable recovery in March. Output reached 182,000 tons for the month, narrowing the cumulative drop to 14% for the first quarter. Industry experts credit this rebound to the completion of scheduled maintenance at the Uzbekistan GTL plant, which had paused operations for three and a half months.

Meanwhile, electricity generation showed a slight dip, falling 0.33% year-over-year. Total output decreased from 21.66 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) to 21.58 billion kWh. Large enterprises, typically the backbone of electricity production, saw a sharp 17.7% decline, producing 16.54 billion kWh. However, smaller businesses picked up much of the slack, increasing their output by more than 3.5 times to 5 billion kWh — a rise largely fueled by the expansion of green energy initiatives.

Heat energy production also cooled, falling by more than 9% to 7.83 million gigacalories (Gcal), reflecting both a structural shift toward more efficient heating technologies and possibly milder seasonal demand.

Despite challenges in oil and condensate output, Uzbekistan’s overall energy sector is showing resilience. The coal sector’s robust performance, combined with growing contributions from renewable energy sources, points to a diversification strategy that is starting to pay off.

As global energy markets remain volatile, Uzbekistan’s ability to adapt and pivot toward alternative energy and mining resources positions the country favorably for sustainable growth in the coming years.