On 25 September 2025, the leadership of Uzbekneftegaz, led by Chairman of the Board Bakhodirjon Sidikov, met Dr Marit Brommer, Director-General of the International Geothermal Association (IGA), in Tashkent.
The talks covered electricity generation, heat for homes and industry, agriculture, and one idea that fits Uzbekistan especially well: giving idle oil and gas wells a second life for geothermal energy. Sidikov described geothermal as a way to strengthen energy security, diversify supply and lower the country’s carbon footprint.
Brommer said that with a well-thought-out strategy, Uzbekistan could become a leader in Central Asia.
A working group and a roadmap
The two sides agreed to form a joint IGA–Uzbekneftegaz working group. It will apply international experience, build links between geothermal and the oil and gas sector, and draft a roadmap for future geothermal projects in Uzbekistan, with attention to environmental protection and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Why it matters
Wells and drilling are among the most expensive parts of a geothermal project, and Uzbekistan’s oil and gas industry already has both wells and drilling crews. A roadmap that connects the two sectors could shorten the path from potential to first projects.
