According to ADB, the loan to Uzbekistan will fund modern, theft-proof meters for one million private and small commercial electricity users in the cities of Bukhara, Jizzakh and Samarkand that will “substantially reduce commercial and tariff collection losses for residential and small business customers by ensuring that energy used is properly accounted for and billed."
20 September 2011: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a loan of US$150 million to finance smart electricity meters in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan has one of the highest energy consumption levels in the world compared to its average income level but is plagued by transmission and distribution losses, in large part due to theft. According to Rune Stroem, Director of the Energy Division of ADB’s Central and West Asia Department, the loan will fund modern, theft-proof meters for one million private and small commercial electricity users in the cities of Bukhara, Jizzakh and Samarkand that will “substantially reduce commercial and tariff collection losses for residential and small business customers by ensuring that energy used is properly accounted for and billed.” Stroem indicated that this would result in improvements in energy efficiency and a more viable power sector. [ADB Press Release]