Solar power and land restoration to drive green rural growth in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is combining renewable energy expansion with sweeping land restoration, installing solar stations in local communities while rehabilitating degraded farmland to spur rural development and climate-smart growth, the government has announced.

Officials say the initiative is designed not only to reduce electricity shortages but also to support small businesses, improve infrastructure and stimulate employment in underserved regions. The solar rollout forms part of a wider poverty-reduction strategy covering 37 districts and more than 900 mahallas.One of the flagship initiatives focuses on installing small solar photoelectric stations in around 1,000 mahallas - neighbourhood-based community units that play a key role in local governance and social support. The programme targets areas with difficult socio-economic conditions and aims to create new income sources while improving energy reliability.

Under the plan, solar plants with a capacity of 300–500 kilowatts will be introduced and leased to local communities for seven years on preferential, affordable terms. Funding is expected to reach about $230 million, including $110 million from the Fund for Reconstruction and Development and an additional $120 million from international financial institutions.

Restoring pastureland and agricultural capacity

Alongside renewable energy projects, Uzbekistan is scaling up land restoration programmes to strengthen food security and climate resilience. Authorities plan to restore more than 630,000 hectares of pastureland in 2026–2027, by introducing measures such as planting pasture crops on 300,000 hectares and installing water wells across 130,000 hectares.

The programme is expected to support grazing for up to 960,000 head of livestock and increase meat and wool production. Over the longer term, officials aim to improve the condition of nearly 938,000 hectares of pastureland by 2030 as part of efforts to combat desertification and improve rural incomes.

Recent agricultural reforms have already brought more than 826,000 hectares into use through irrigation and land improvement projects. New orchards and vineyards developed on previously inefficient land are projected to generate fruit and vegetable exports worth up to $660 million annually once they reach full production.

Linking climate action with economic growth

Analysts note that combining renewable energy with land restoration reflects a broader policy shift towards “green growth,” where environmental protection is tied directly to job creation and regional development. 

By investing in solar energy at the community level and improving the productivity of rural land, authorities aim to address climate challenges while supporting long-term economic prospects for local populations.

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