Uzbek experts visited Slovakia to explore ESCOs and energy auditing best practices. The study visit supports Uzbekistan’s efforts to boost energy efficiency.
With UNDP and Slovak support, the Government of Uzbekistan is taking active steps to enhance energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As part of these efforts, a group of 13 Uzbek specialists visited Slovakia to learn from the country’s experience in energy efficiency and ESCO (Energy Service Company) projects.
The event brought together representatives of public institutions, including the Inspection for Control of Electricity, Petroleum Products, and Gas Usage, the National Agency for Energy Efficiency under the Cabinet of Ministers, and JSCB Uzbek Industrial and Construction Bank, and private sector companies.
Firsthand Learning and B2B Engagement
The study visit provided Uzbek experts with an opportunity to explore Slovak approach to the development and management of ESCO and Super ESCO schemes, as well as the structuring of related financial instruments. Through direct engagement with practitioners, the group gained practical insights into Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs), national auditor certification systems, and quality assurance mechanisms, including Measurement and Verification (M&V) protocols.
The program also included B2B meetings with Slovak companies experienced in the ESCO model, as well as a site visit to a specific ESCO project implemented by one of these companies. The practical learning was highlighted by Feruza Nigmatova, CEO at RAF LLC, who explained that ‘From a design perspective, the most relevant lesson was how energy audits and performance requirements are integrated into the early stages of building design or renovation project, ensuring that energy efficiency is embedded from the outset rather than treated as separate exercise.’
Sarvar Kurbonov, Director of SKB Energy Audit Company, reflected on the importance of auditor systems, noting that ‘The most relevant aspect for Uzbekistan is Slovak energy auditor certification system, which ensures audit quality, credibility, and trust among public authorities and investors. This experience will serve as a basis for a concrete model for establishing national certification requirements, training programs, and quality control mechanisms for energy auditors.’
Insights Gained and Prospects for Cooperation
From 3 to 5 February 2026, Bratislava hosted a study visit bringing together Uzbek and Slovak experts to examine how to further unlock energy efficiency in the construction sector. The exchange focused on strengthening national frameworks, professional capacities, and public–private cooperation as key enablers for mobilising sustainable, long-term investment in Uzbekistan energy sector.
Building on the visit, Slovak experts will support a comparative assessment of energy audit standards in Uzbekistan and toward the EU standards, with recommendations for closer alignment, alongside similar work on the practical application of ESCO and related contracting models.
‘The insights gained during the visit will directly support Uzbekistan follow-up action by providing practical benchmarks for institutional setup, regulatory design, and the introduction of a national energy auditor certification system. Furthermore, the visit strengthened cooperation between Slovak and Uzbek institutions. It is proposed to formalize this collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Agency for Energy Efficiency under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan and the Slovak Innovation and Energy Agency. This partnership is expected to support long-term systematic policy dialogue, technical assistance, and pilot ESCO projects aimed at operationalizing energy efficiency reforms in Uzbekistan,’concluded Akmal Abdunazarov, Deputy Head of the Department on Energy Efficiency in Regions, National Agency for Energy Efficiency in Uzbekistan.
The study visit was organized within the Energy Audits – Unlocking the Potential of Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings project, implemented under the wider Public and Private Finance for Development (PPFD) initiative, financed by the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic.