Alternative energy development in the republic of Uzbekistan

. The purpose of this article is to study the conditions and actions for the use of alternative energy, mainly solar, in Uzbekistan, to find opportunities to accelerate this process. Therefore, the authors gave a description of the directions and prospects for the implementation of projects for the use of predominantly solar energy in Uzbekistan, studied the directions and prospects for its use, and provided criteria for the introduction of solar and wind energy. The authors noted that ensuring the development of alternative energy is carry out by ensuring the transformation of existing energy systems, taking into account new innovative technologies for generating electricity from renewable sources, as well as conducting new research to improve the efficiency of existing installations. Conclusions are formulated on expanding the use of solar and wind energy in Uzbekistan, which, according to the authors, will help in increasing the country's energy capacity.


Introduction
Alternative energy is a trend in the development of the energy complex in many countries of the world, in particular all those who have joined the UN Sustainable Development Goals until 2030 [1] and the Paris Agreement on climate change [2]. An obvious factor in this development is the growth of the world's population day by day, due to which there is a significant depletion of natural capital, as well as environmental pollution, leading to climate change phenomena in general.
Alternative energy sources are a guarantor of inexhaustibility, and also favourably affect the state of the environment, economic development and energy security, as well as reduce the impact of electricity generation on the environment.
In Uzbekistan, at least 300 days a year are sunny. In this regard, by 2030 the country plans to receive more than a quarter of electricity from renewable energy sources. The government believes that the "green" transition can give the economy a powerful boost. By 2030, according to the plan of the Ministry of Energy, 45% of electricity in Uzbekistan will be generated at thermal power plants from natural gas, 17% -at FES (photoelectric power plants), 13% -at hydroelectric power plants (hydroelectric power plants), 8% will come from nuclear energy and 6% from coal thermal power plants (thermal power plants).
Many countries around the world believe that the use of alternative energy sources will contribute to economic growth and sustainable development. For example, in Germany and Japan, the share of renewable energy sources in the country's total energy system has reached 20-25%. Solar energy is an affordable and carbon neutral source of electricity generation in the US. Since 2008, the number of installations in the US has increased 35 times, and the average cost of photovoltaic panels has decreased by almost 50 percent [3].
According to scientists, the age of the Sun is about 4.5 billion years [4] and its energy potential is simply huge. When comparing the radiation power from one square meter of the surface of the Sun, this is the amount of energy consumed by a million incandescent lamps. Consequently, the energy of the Sun is an inexhaustible stream, which is many times more powerful than the entire amount of electricity generated throughout the world. However, it is necessary to develop and establish the most efficient and cost-effective methods of using this resource.
In addition, it is necessary to take into account the fact that those producers who put the "input-output" principle at the forefront of their activities, meaning the assessment of the paying costs for energy received through the use of traditional methods of obtaining it, including the tax component, that is, the key mechanism for achieving changes in the short term is not prices and, ultimately, consumer decisions, but producer profits [5]. This mechanism encourages producers to adopt more environmentally friendly production methods and switch to alternative energy sources, which, despite large initial investments, pay off and, over time, become free. Of course, such a mechanism is not applicable in all sectors of the economy. In addition, some of them are switching production resources, say, from energy-intensive goods to less energy-intensive ones. Thus, here profit plays the role of a key short-term transmission mechanism, through which taxes on energy affect changes in the behaviour of producers, and taxes on the consumption of traditional energy sources provide short-term incentives for profit to reallocate resources within the national economy.
The possibility of using sources of "green" energy in a particular country depends on the geographical location, natural features and the availability of financial resources. Therefore, different countries have different directions of development in this regard. Some countries are committed to the use of wind energy, some solar. The Republic of Uzbekistan also has a great potential for using solar energy, as it has more than 300 sunny days a year. Uzbekistan is also a supporter of the Solar Energy Concept and is taking active steps to widely introduce and use alternative energy sources (Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan). We can receive energy for more than 90-115 million tons of oil equivalent per year. That is why the implementation of research and development in the field of technologies that ensure the generation of solar energy is an urgent task for the Republic of Uzbekistan, aimed at meeting the growing demand for electricity and preventing technological dependence on technology imports in the future.
Literature review. Scientific theoretical and practical research on the efficiency of the production and use of "green" energy has been going on for quite a long time. And in this area, research is carried out by scientists from all over the world, as well as scientists from Uzbekistan, taking into account the climatic and financial characteristics of the regions of the country [6][7][8][9][10][11] Alekseenko S.V. identifies four areas of energy: traditional energy on organic fuel (coal, gas, oil, oil products); hydropower; nuclear power; renewable energy sources (RES). To RES, he primarily refers to hydrogen energy. In his opinion, it is interesting, first of all, because hydrogen is used, which has a calorific value 2.5 times higher than natural gas, and its reserves are not limited [7]. The processes of wind flows formation over the territory of Uzbekistan and their characteristic features, due to the orographic parameters of the territory and synoptic processes occurring in the atmosphere, affecting the characteristics of wind flows were studied by Derzkiy V.G., who in his work claims that when designing wind turbines for generating energy, it is necessary to determine the wind potential of the area where construction is planned [8]. Scientists Zakhidov R.A., Kremkov V.M. [9] preferred to study the issues of assessing the potential and possible use of wind energy in Uzbekistan, the creation of wind power plants, considering the lack of incentive measures for the population and industrial consumers, as well as the high cost of installations that can be solved, to be the main factors hindering the use of wind energy in the country. Matchanov N. in his work considers the use of various sources the renewable energy in order to ensure energy, environmental and economic security, as well as to ensure the sustainable development of this sector of the republic and ensure the safety of natural resources for future generations, improve the environment, meaning solar energy, energy wind and biogas, hydropower of small natural and artificial watercourses [10].
Krasko V.A. and Doris E. found that market preparation (interconnection) and market creation (renewable energy portfolio standards with solar backup) were the two main determinants of solar energy adoption at the state level [6]. This result was obtained by testing the following ideas: 1. A low-cost market opening policy can be effective in promoting the growth of the PV market without subsidizing projects, and 2. Policies can be more effective if states and localities implement them in a certain order. The study showed that both policies are significant. Nonparametric statistical tests confirmed the results of the regression. Qualitative evidence has also indicated that effective policy streamlining starts with improved interconnection standards, followed by improved net metering standards, which is eventually reinforced by the deployment of renewable energy [6].
Considering the pros and cons of using solar energy, scientists in many countries around the world have concluded that the sun can become a widespread source of electricity. The main factors preventing its extensive use are: the high cost of installations, as well as the low efficiency (17%) of the solar battery [11]. At the same time, the main factors that speak in favour of this source are: the inexhaustibility of solar energy and the absence of a negative impact on the environment. That is why this issue is under the close attention of scientists from all over the world, including Uzbekistan.
Over the past few years, Uzbekistan has been implementing plans to produce energy-efficient houses using solar energy technologies in rural areas, in urban areas by individual organizations, including for urban lighting, establishing the use of electricity for traffic lights, however, there is still little experience in using solar energy in city houses, educational and medical institutions, in the form of using water heaters for a number of residential buildings, factories, sanatoriums.
In the study, the authors adhered to the hypothesis that the implementation of the actions identified in the study process will act as a catalyst for the development of alternative energy in Uzbekistan In this regard, the purpose of the study is an attempt to identify actions aimed at enhancing the development of alternative energy in Uzbekistan.
The objectives of the study are: to characterize the current state of alternative energy development in Uzbekistan, to identify factors that constrain it, to determine ways to enhance development.

Materials and Methods
The paper uses a statistical and comparative analysis of the sources of electricity generation and consumption by industries and areas in Uzbekistan to assess the changes that have occurred in the country in the field of solar and wind energy over a number of years. As well as an empirical analysis, that allows you to explore the useful component of the use of wind or solar power plants.
By analyzing the events associated with the introduction of alternative energy sources, the article attempts to identify the factors hindering the active introduction of alternative energy, as well as to identify areas of action that, according to the authors, contribute to the more active development of alternative energy in the country.

Results
The main reasons stimulating the modification of energy systems around the world are: -the desire of governments and international organizations to ensure the uninterrupted and efficient operation of energy systems, to use innovative technologies aimed both at ensuring high environmental and climatic safety, and at reducing the cost of energy generation, ensuring its availability for potential consumers; • ensuring cost reduction and ease of installation and operation of technologies for the production and consumption of electricity, including wind and solar power plants, electric transport, demand management mechanisms and energy storage in drives; • annual increase in the energy intensity of the economy and life in general, a significant expansion of the boundaries of digitalization, increasing the autonomy of energy systems.
• When introducing solar and wind energy, it is necessary to adhere to the following criteria: • ensuring the formation of an appropriate regulatory framework, which includes the provision of system services by solar and wind power plants; • setting up solar and wind power plants in areas where they will provide the most value; • creating favourable conditions for the diversification of energy sources: in particular, the addition of solar, wind and hydropower; • creating of installations combining solar power plants with energy storage devices, development of a demand management mechanism; • establishing the optimal design of solar and wind installations, taking into account the optimization of their integration into the network; • ensuring regular collection of information on technologies for generating electricity, its processing and making decisions on pricing based on the results, based on the dynamics of changes produced by various energy sources.

Discussion
As you know, in Uzbekistan, the body of state regulation of the processes of production, distribution and consumption of electrical and thermal energy is the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Three joint-stock companies have been established on the basis of Uzbekenergo JSC: Thermal Power Plants, National Electric Networks of Uzbekistan and Regional Electric Networks.
The main source of electricity from renewable energy sources in Uzbekistan is hydropower, which includes 42 HPPs, in particular 12 large ones, with a total capacity of 1.68 GW (90.8% of the total HPP capacity), 28 SHPPs, with a total capacity of 0.25 GW (13 .5%) and 2 micro HPPs with a total capacity of 0. 5   Analysis and assessment of the production and consumption of electricity in Uzbekistan showed (see: Table 1, Fig. 1.) that electricity consumption is not just growing, but it has grown directly in combination with its production in the republic in recent years (72.4 billion kW / h against 75.1 billion kW/h). At the same time, electricity generation has increased by 14 billion kWh over the past 10 years, which became possible due to an increase in production capacities for generating electricity, including through the effective implementation of the Investment Program of the Republic, in accordance with which, from 2016, at the expense of loans , taken under state guarantees, more than 3. Over the past 4 years, in order to increase the generating capacity of electricity, Uzbekistan and international companies signed 25 agreements on the purchase of electricity and investment agreements with a total capacity of 11,954 MW for a total amount of 10 billion 148 million dollars.
In accordance with these agreements, by the end of 2026, 25 power plants with a total capacity of 11,954 MW (including 9 thermal, 9 solar and 7 wind power plants) will be put into operation. These capacities make up 60% of the current capacity of all energy systems in Uzbekistan.
The increase in household income, the growth of innovative technologies, the growing digitalization in all sectors of the economy and the life of the population have contributed and continue to contribute to the constant accelerated growth in energy consumption: from 43.4 billion kWh in 2011 to 77.2 billion kWh in 2022. (or 51.5 billion kW / h). That is why the issue of new energy sources is becoming especially relevant in modern conditions of development.
At the same time, it is expected that the demand of sectors of the economy is expected to grow by 10% this year, the population -by 8.5%, and by 2030 electricity consumption will be twice the current level.
It is the ever-increasing needs of the country's economic entities for electricity, as well as the favorable natural and climatic conditions of Uzbekistan, that have shown the urgent need to create incentives to create a favorable legislative and regulatory framework for the development of "green" energy, which for many years has been one of the targets for increasing the generated electricity in our country.
Therefore, it is necessary to look for ways to gain public support for sustainable energy and achieve the goals set. The main stumbling block is exorbitant prices, giving households and businesses little incentive to adopt solar installations, despite predictions that they will take on a fundamental role and Uzbekistan will replace a significant portion of fossil fuels with new ones.
In particular, quite a few steps have been taken in this direction in recent years: the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On the use of renewable energy sources" (Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan LRU-539 dated February 21, 2019) and the Law "On state -private partnership" (Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan LRU-537 dated May 10, 2019). In particular, the principle of public-private partnership makes it possible to attract both domestic and foreign investments in this area, as well as new technologies, equipment, methods of management, engineering, operation, construction and installation works. At the same time, the National Electric Grids of Uzbekistan JSC remains the only buyer, which will carry out a guaranteed purchase of generated electricity.
Legislative and regulatory acts also contain provisions that encourage the use of green energy sources by business entities, namely, the release of manufacturers of green energy installations (Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan LRU-539 dated February 21, 2019): -from payment of all types of taxes for a period of 5 years from the date of state registration; -from the payment of property tax for installations of renewable energy sources and land tax on sites occupied by these installations (nominal capacity of 0.1 MW and more), for a period of 10 years from the date of their commissioning; -property tax on individuals is not subject to property owned by persons using renewable energy sources in residential premises with a complete disconnection from existing energy networks for a period of 3 years starting from the month of using renewable energy sources; -persons using renewable energy sources in residential premises with a complete disconnection from existing energy networks are exempted from land tax for a period of 3 years starting from the month of using renewable energy sources.
Producers of "green" energy, as well as manufacturers of installations of "green" energy, have the right to conclude contracts with legal entities and individuals for the supply of energy through a local network.
In addition, within the established parameters (which may be reviewed annually), the following measures are provided to finance the construction of green energy sources (Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan PP-4712, May, 13, 2020): -for individuals, compensation is provided in the amount of 30% of the cost of purchasing solar photovoltaic stations, solar water heaters, as well as energy-efficient gas burners, within: 3 million soums -for solar photovoltaic stations; 1.5 million soums -for solar water heaters; 200 thousand soums -for gas burners; -for individuals and legal entities, compensation is provided to cover the cost of interest on loans from commercial banks for the purchase of renewable energy installations, energy-efficient gas burners and boilers, as well as other energy-efficient equipment: individuals -for loans not exceeding 500 million soums -in excess of the main rate of the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan, but not more than 8%; legal entities -for loans not exceeding 5 billion soums -in the part exceeding the main rate of the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan, but not more than 5%.
In Uzbekistan, the creation of "The Yashil Energy" company is planned, its functions will be the installation and installation of low-power renewable energy sources in buildings and structures of both social facilities and government agencies, etc. In particular, the company will be able to purchase the necessary equipment under direct contracts from both domestic and foreign manufacturers, as well as to lease the relevant parts of these buildings and structures, if renewable energy devices are installed at the expense of the company [Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On measures to accelerate the introduction of renewable energy sources and energy-saving technologies in 2023" dated  In addition, a requirement has been established by law, according to which, from 01.05.2023, solar panels must be installed on 50% of the free part of the roof of newly commissioned multi-storey buildings. Support measures will also be introduced for entrepreneurs and foreign organizations involved in the production of solar energy: • it is allowed to sell electricity to state territorial power grids at established tariffs; • it is allowed to sell electricity to other consumers on the basis of negotiated prices and under direct contracts; • it is allowed to install solar power plants at facilities owned by other owners on a leasehold basis, and to sell the generated energy. Of undoubted interest for the households of Uzbekistan is the Solar House program, the implementation of which is aimed at stimulating the installation of solar panels by them. The project aims to stimulate the installation of solar panels with a capacity of up to 50 kW. It assumes that for every kWh of electricity produced by households with the help of solar panels in excess of their own needs and delivered to regional power grids, 1,000 soums of subsidies from the state budget will be allocated. The subsidies will not be subject to personal income tax and will be calculated on the basis of the positive difference between the amount of electricity consumed by the household and transferred to the regional power grids. Households will receive it through a mobile application until the 25th day of the month following the reporting month on plastic cards.
In the direction of using energy within the framework of the "green" economy, the priority direction for the development of the electric power industry is the creation of modern solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 8 GW.
In the Republic of Uzbekistan, long-term targets for the development of renewable energy sources have been set and legally approved, aimed at increasing the share of electricity production using renewable energy sources to a level of at least 20% by 2025 and to a level of at least 25% by 2030 (Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, UP-5544, September, 21, 2018). To this end, it is planned to build almost 10 GW of new renewable energy facilities, including 5 GW of solar, not counting the capacities of individual households, 3 GW of wind and 1.9 GW of hydroelectric power plants (Fig. 3). In general, Uzbekistan plans to build photovoltaic stations with a total capacity of 1 gigawatt. The projects will be implemented by the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade.
1. Solar power plant with a capacity of 100 MW in the Navoi region, which was launched on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic. And, as the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh.M. Mirziyoyev, -this station has become the "first sign" of the new energy system of Uzbekistan and marks the beginning of a completely new stage in the development of the industry. It will generate 252 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. This will save 80 million cubic meters of natural gas and prevent the release of 160,000 tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere." The project to launch the first solar power plant in Uzbekistan, called Nur Navoi Solar, was implemented by Masdar of the United Arab Emirates. Uzbekistan has established long-term cooperation with the UAE. In the energy sector alone, 6 projects with a capacity of 1.7 thousand megawatts worth about $1.5 billion are being implemented jointly with the UAE. In particular, in 2023, a project to build a 500 megawatt wind power plant will be implemented in the Navoi region, together with Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company), a world leader in renewable energy and sustainable urban development, as well as a solar power plant 200 megawatts with the Phanes group, which has chosen to integrate corporate social responsibility into an integrated commercial business model to enable as many communities as possible to profit from access to sustainable and clean energy at an affordable price.
2. Construction of a solar power plant with a capacity of 100 MW and a total area of 353 hectares in the Samarkand region (PP-5001, February, 21, 2021). The commissioning date is December 2021. The construction of a solar power plant in the Nurabad district of the Samarkand region is carried out by the French company Total Eren. The company owns more than 100 solar, wind and hydro power plants worldwide with a total capacity of 2.8 gigawatts.. As a result of the commissioning of this PPP, 260 million kilowatt-hours of electricity will be generated annually, and its modern energy-efficient equipment will save up to 76 million cubic meters of natural gas per year.
3. Construction of a wind farm with a capacity of 500 MW in the Navoi region (PP-4933, December, 22, 2020), which is scheduled to be commissioned in September 2024. The construction of the wind farm will be carried out by Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company). The project is planned to be financed, in particular, by attracting foreign direct investment in the amount of $600 million.
4. The construction of 2 wind power plants: with a capacity of 300-500 megawatts, is carried out in Peshkun (PP-5001, February, 21, 2021) and with a capacity of 500 megawatts in Gijduvan (PP-5003, February, 23, 2021) districts of the Bukhara region. The construction of the stations is entrusted to the project company ACWA Power Dzhankeldy Wind LLC, created by the International Company for water and power projects, a Saudi Arabian company. Each of the wind farms involves attracting 650.0 million US dollars, while financing the connection of power plants to a single power grid will be financed and covered for 10 years by National Electric Grids of Uzbekistan JSC. The electricity generated as a result of the operation of wind farms will be purchased by the National Electric Grids of Uzbekistan JSC for further sale. The agreement on this was signed for 25 years. Commissioning of the station is expected in December 2023.
5. An agreement on the construction of a solar power plant with a capacity of 200 megawatts, with the financial support of Ravnak Bank JSC, in the Nurata district of Navoi region was signed by the Ministry of Energy with the international company Phanes Group (Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan). The head office of the company is located in Dubai (UAE). The company has extensive experience in building photovoltaic plants in the Middle East, North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, and has also established economic cooperation in the CIS countries: Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Mongolia and Uzbekistan. To date, the company's clean energy projects exceed 130 megawatts. In addition, another 3.5 gigawatts are under development or planning.
The commissioning of the solar power plant is scheduled for July 2023. An agreement on the purchase of generated electricity was also signed with National Electric Grids of Uzbekistan JSC.
6. Construction of a solar power plant in the Sherabad district of the Surkhandarya region, with a capacity of 457 megawatts, for the construction of which the Masdar company (UAE) won the tender. The annual production capacity of the station will be 1.04 billion kWh. For the construction of the station, foreign investments in the amount of $260 million will be attracted, as a result of which 340 million cubic meters of natural gas will be saved per year, and 300,000 households will be provided with electricity.
Commissioning of the solar power plant is expected in August 2023. This project is the largest of all that are currently being implemented in the field of "green energy" in Uzbekistan.
7. Construction of solar power plants in the Kattakurgan district of the Samarkand region, as well as the Gallyaaral district of the Jizzakh region with a capacity of 220 megawatts each. A tender for the implementation of this project was also received by the UAE company -Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar), which offered the lowest tariff for generated electricity: 1.791 cents per 1 kWh and 1.823 cents per 1 kWh, respectively (Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan).
It is planned to put these stations into operation by May 2023. In general, the strategy for the implementation of projects for the use of energy generating projects in the field of the "green" economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan is planned to put into operation stations with a capacity of 5 gigawatts of solar and 2 gigawatts of wind energy and significantly increase the capacity of hydroelectric power plants. At the same time, despite the low productivity of solar panels, the construction of solar power plants is in demand not only among organizations and enterprises, but also among individuals engaged in entrepreneurial activities and the population as a whole, since such a source of electricity implies stability, independence, given the large number of sunny days in the republic.

Conclusion
The development of alternative energy is an actual phenomenon in all countries of the world. The purpose of such energy is to provide consumers with inexpensive, stable, inexhaustible sources of electricity, the production of which, with everything else, does not have a harmful effect on the environment, without polluting either the soil or the air with harmful emissions that have a negative impact on the life and health of fauna and flora on Earth. Achievements in the development of alternative energy are carried out by ensuring the transformation of existing energy systems, taking into account new innovative technologies for generating electricity from renewable sources, as well as conducting new research to improve the efficiency of existing installations.
The catalysts for rapid transformation are the growing demand for electricity, which is driving developers: • increase the availability of electricity through the use of innovative technologies; • improve the reliability and efficiency of energy systems through the use of renewable sources; • ensure environmental and climate safety of electricity generation; • increase the automation of power grids through the further development of digital technologies that speed up and improve the quality of installations; • look for new ways to finance the construction of "green" energy systems, allowing to accelerate the work on their construction, as well as the development, improvement and flexible integration of new installations into the power grid structure. The implementation of the above in the Republic of Uzbekistan will be facilitated by the following: • formation of national institutions in the republic with the involvement of foreign experts in the field of predominantly solar energy, in order to ensure long-term planning and implementation of step-by-step measures for the development of "green energy". The issue of such bonds is obvious both for issuers and investors, since by financing projects related to environmental friendliness and energy efficiency, the issuer shows its focus on long-term and progressive development. Investors show not only their long-term commitment, but also social responsibility by operating in accordance with government programs, while receiving financial support and incentives from the government of the country.
In this period of economic development, green bonds are issued by a wide variety of organizations, international: the European Investment Bank, the World Bank, government: the city of Paris, Massachusetts, the province of Ontario, the government of Poland and France; banks: Bank of America, Credit Agricole; various companies and institutions [12]. Operations in green bonds may be more active in the financial market, since the demand for them is much higher, especially from environmentally oriented funds, and the supply is still rather limited.
Uzbekistan has a positive experience in placing Eurobonds, therefore, in combination with the growing "green" energy, it seems rational and effective to issue "green" bonds and place them in order to accelerate the development of this sector of the economy.
• facilitating the issuance of green bonds, the accumulation of funds with their help, used for projects related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean transport or low-carbon economy; • creation of favorable conditions for obtaining up-to-date information in the field of alternative energy, aimed at conducting effective research;