Korean Western Power plans to build a biofuel plant in Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan, a transition of greenhouses to more environmentally friendly fuel is planned with the assistance of Korea Western Power, Yonhap writes.

A Korean delegation visited the republic to discuss a project aimed at reducing atmospheric emissions produced by greenhouse farms. In addition to Korea Western Power, the delegation included representatives from the engineering company KICC.

Local farmers will be offered biofuel made from cotton stalks as an alternative to coal heating for greenhouses. It is expected that this initiative will reduce atmospheric emissions by 120,000 tons over the next 10 years.

The biofuel plant is planned to be built in the city of Furkat in the Fergana region. Relevant agreements have been signed with city and regional administrations.

In the autumn of 2022, greenhouse owners widely complained about gas supply cutoffs. The Ministry of Energy stated that the switch to "alternative fuel" was stipulated in gas supply contracts as a mandatory condition.

The then-head of the Presidential Administration, Sardor Umurzakov, instructed that gas supply to greenhouses be urgently restored to preserve their produce. He also instructed providing funds to needy farms for energy payments.

Throughout 2023, measures were repeatedly announced to switch greenhouses from gas to coal. To stimulate this process, subsidies, preferential loans, and compensation for the purchase of coal boilers were announced.

In February of this year, the Ministry of Ecology issued a warning to a greenhouse farm on the outskirts of Tashkent for using old tires for heating. Companies were also instructed to update filters to capture harmful particles.