The key facts

  • From May 1, 2028, heating tariffs are proposed to be indexed annually by inflation, but no more than 10%
  • Annual inflation as of October 1 was 6.4%; according to Mustafayev, it is holding at around 5–6%
  • A similar mechanism has been in effect for electricity and gas tariffs since 2026

Indexation mechanism with a 10% ceiling

Centralized heating tariffs in Uzbekistan are proposed to be indexed annually from 2028, taking annual inflation into account, but by no more than 10%. Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Khurshed Mustafayev, who oversees the oil and gas sector, announced this at a press conference on October 14, Spot.uz reports.

Why not a rigid link to inflation

According to Mustafayev, a rigid link of indexation to the current inflation rate may require revising the mechanism if the economic situation changes. “Right now inflation is indeed holding at around 5–6% (as of October 1, annual inflation was 6.4% — note by Spot), but as you can see yourselves, the geopolitical situation changes every day. If it, conditionally speaking, exceeds this threshold, and we rigidly fix 5% or 6% by some decision, then tomorrow this indicator will have to be revised upward,” the deputy minister said.

“This is not any kind of loophole”

Mustafayev emphasized that the increase will correspond to actual annual inflation but will not exceed the 10% limit. “So this is not any kind of loophole: indexation will be at the level of inflation, but no higher than 10%. Whether inflation is 6% or 7% — starting from May 1, 2028, tariffs will rise exactly at its level,” Spot.uz quotes the official as saying.

A similar mechanism for electricity and gas

The mechanism of annual indexation with a 10% limit has already been applied to electricity and natural gas tariffs for the population since the beginning of 2026. Commenting on their increase from June 1, Mustafayev noted that the cumulative increase in tariffs for the population, legal entities and certain large enterprises does not exceed 10%, although for some individual categories the increase could have been higher.

Reducing costs

Earlier, Spot.uz reported that the cost of heating in Uzbekistan is planned to be reduced by 30–40% by 2030.