Uzbekistan to Limit Electricity Payments for Water Debtors from 2027
From January 1, 2027, water and sewage debtors may face restrictions on paying for electricity — but only after collection through a notary or court. What this means for suppliers.
From January 1, 2027, Uzbekistan will introduce a mechanism to restrict electricity payments for consumers with unpaid debts for drinking water and sewage. The restriction will apply only after debt collection through a notary or court, not immediately when the debt arises. As of October 1, total consumer debt for water and sewage services reached 542.6 billion soums, according to Spot.uz. The new procedure does not apply to families included in the social register, Kun.uz reports.
What this means for suppliers
The new procedure affects utility providers and energy companies first. If you work in water supply or energy, you will need to work more closely with subscribers and monitor receivables. Suppliers of metering equipment — meters, control systems — may see extra demand, because restricting payments will require more accurate identification of payers and their debts. Legal and debt collection firms may also see more requests. Tenders for related services and equipment may appear closer to the effective date, in the second half of 2026. Specific timing and volumes are not yet announced.
According to TenderLabs data, 235 lots were open in the Utilities and Waste sector as of October 31, 2026. This shows procurement in the sector is active, but there may be no direct link to the new procedure.
What to do now
- 1Check if your company or your counterparties have water and sewage debts, and pay them off before the end of 2026 if needed.
- 2If you supply equipment or services for the utility sector, study the requirements for metering and debt collection systems that may appear after the procedure is introduced.
- 3Monitor tender announcements in utilities and energy — procurement for developing and implementing such systems is possible.
- 4Prepare documents for participation in procurement: proof of experience, licenses, equipment certificates.
- 5If you provide legal services, consider offering support for collection procedures through a notary or court.
The new procedure will take effect only in 2027, so suppliers have time to prepare. However, the specific implementation mechanisms are not yet detailed, and much will depend on secondary legislation.
TenderLabs can help you track relevant tenders in utilities and energy.
Photo: Kun.uz