Uzbekistan plays a decisive role in the international transport system of Central Asia. Several TRACECA routes, a transport corridor of west-east axis from Europe, across the Black Sea from the Caucasus and the Caspian See to Central Asia, run through Uzbekistan. Uzbek Railways UTY (O’zbekiston Temir Yo’llari) operates a railway network comprising 3,641 route-km, 17 % of which are electrified lines.

Apart from the railway line Tashkent – Angren (114 km), which is still operated by diesel locomotives, the Tashkent region has been entirely electrified in the past. To increase the carrying capacity and to reduce transportation costs, more efficient electric locos are supposed to go into action. The shipment volume of the railway line amounts to 13 % of the total freight shipment of UTY. The line connects Tashkent, the 2.2 million metropolis and capital of Uzbekistan, to one of the most productive regions of Uzbekistan, the Fergana Valley.

DE-Consult was invited by UTY and KfW to perform a Feasibilty Study ‘Electrification of the railway lne Tashkent – Angren’, including environmental aspects.

The environmental assessment among other things was concerned 

• with a comparison of electrified traction and diesel traction of the railway line Tashkent - Angren and
• with a risk assessment in view of the transport of oil and oil products with tankers along the mountain road between Angren and Pap.

Comparison of electrified traction and diesel traction
Air polluting substances were considered: SO₂, NOx, Particulates PM 10, but also emissions contributing to the effect of global warming, in consideration of power generation efficiency factors and power transmission efficiency factors. The emission of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and Dinitrooxides (N₂O) have been quantified and aggregated to CO₂-equivalents, according to IPCC (1995). The calculated indicator GWP (Global Warming Potential) is suitable for quantifying the contribution to greenhouse effect in CO₂-equivalents.

Within the electricity mix 2010 forecast two scenarios have been calculated, both taking into consideration the proposed coal based electricity production increase as outlined by the Uzbek government. The Project should have net environmental benefits as a result of fuel savings and reduced emissions. The electrification of the railway line will reduce the emissions of the considered pollutants significantly. SO₂ emissions on the other hand will rise, due to an increased electricity production with coal and black oil. This increase however is independent from the topic of electrification. Due to modernisation plans of the existing coal supply facilities developed by the Ministry of Power Energy it seems likely to reduce the SO₂ emissions related to the electricity supply by means of flue gas desulfurization techniques. Thus the project will improve the present situation significantly, particularly referring to the air quality close to the railway line.