Beirut: Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has appointed Sherzod Khodjaev as the new energy minister, dismissing Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov due to "serious shortcomings" in the sector. Mirziyoyev's press secretary, Sherzod Asadov, announced the appointment on Telegram, highlighting that Khodjaev will be stepping down from his role as director of the Energy Market Development and Regulatory Agency to assume his new position.

According to Anadolu Agency, Khodjaev's appointment was previously approved by lawmakers in the Legislative Chamber, the lower house of the parliament. The decision to relieve Mirzamakhmudov from his duties as energy minister underscores the need for improved management and oversight within Uzbekistan's energy sector.

In a statement during a meeting focused on the fuel and energy sector's priority tasks, President Mirziyoyev acknowledged the implementation of large-scale reforms over the past decade, which have attracted $23 billion in foreign investment. However, he noted that significant issues persist in leveraging these opportunities effectively, especially in system management, discipline, and local oversight.

The statement further revealed that approximately 4,000 power grid failures were reported in June and July, leaving residents and businesses in certain regions without power for extended periods of up to 8-10 hours. As a consequence, both the energy minister and Asrorjon Askarov, head of Regional Electric Networks JSC, were dismissed for their roles in these shortcomings.

Additionally, the heads of National Electric Grids of Uzbekistan, Thermal Power Plants, Uzransgaz, and Khududgaztaminot Joint-Stock Companies have been placed on probation until the year's end, highlighting the government's commitment to addressing these sectoral challenges.