Uzbek ambassador backs Korea’s K-heating export drive

Uzbek Ambassador to Korea Alisher Abdusalomov, right, shakes hands with Korea District Heating Corp. (KDHC) President Jeong Yong-ki at the company's headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Monday. Courtesy of KDHC

Uzbek Ambassador to Korea Alisher Abdusalomov expressed strong support for Korea’s high-efficiency district heating technology during a visit to the Korea District Heating Corp. (KDHC) on Monday, highlighting deepening energy cooperation between the two countries.

The ambassador met with KDHC President Jeong Yong-ki to discuss the ongoing K-heating initiative — a strategic project to export Korea’s advanced, eco-friendly district heating systems to New Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s planned smart city, and other urban areas.

“I deeply appreciate KDHC’s efforts to support the development of Uzbekistan’s energy sector,” the ambassador said. “We will do our utmost to ensure the successful adoption of the K-heating system.”

His visit comes as KDHC accelerates its push into Central Asia. The corporation recently launched a dedicated task force for the Uzbekistan project and has implemented a wide range of activities including modernization consulting for outdated heating infrastructure, infrastructure planning support for New Tashkent, expert roundtables with Korean exporters and official invitation programs for senior Uzbek energy officials.

During the meeting, Jeong emphasized the need to build an efficient, sustainable heating network in Uzbekistan.

“We are ready to share Korea’s experience and technology for the successful establishment of an eco-friendly K-heating system in New Tashkent,” he said.

He also outlined KDHC’s plan to launch a K-Heating Learning Program to train Uzbek professionals, and urged the embassy to actively support Korean companies seeking to enter Uzbekistan’s energy market.

Following the meeting, Abdusalomov and his delegation visited KDHC’s integrated control center and the combined heat and power plant in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province, where they observed firsthand the operational capabilities of Korea’s district heating infrastructure.

The K-heating project is part of KDHC’s broader Northern Business strategy, which targets Central Asian markets such as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia. KDHC plans to continue expanding its footprint in the region, positioning Korean heating technology as a model for energy-efficient urban development.

Uzbekistan’s energy market is undergoing significant transformation, spurred by ambitious reforms aimed at opening the sector to greater private investment. According to the World Bank, Uzbekistan’s electricity demand is projected to double by 2030, exceeding 120 billion kilowatt-hours.