From Desert to Energy Hub: Uzbekistan’s First Fully Automated Prismatic Lithium-Ion Battery Module Line Goes Live

12ppm, pack aseembly line in Uzbekstan

A turnkey production solution that fuses advanced robotics, laser precision, and local resilience – powering Central Asia’s green transition.

Date of Commissioning: June 15, 2026
Location: Jizzakh Special Industrial Zone, Republic of Uzbekistan

Key Figures:

• Mr. Alisher Karimov – Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade, Uzbekistan

• Ms. Elena Vakhabova – Plant Operations Director, local battery assembly joint venture

• Mr. Lu Hai – Project Lead, automation systems integration team

Project Background

Uzbekistan sits at the heart of the ancient Silk Road, but today it faces a modern imperative: diversify its energy mix, reduce natural gas dependency, and electrify transport. With over 36 million people and a rapidly urbanising population, the country sees annual electricity demand grow by 6–8%. Yet grid instability in rural areas and rising fuel import costs have made local energy storage a national priority.

Under the “Uzbekistan – 2030” strategy, the government has pledged to raise the share of renewable electricity to 25% and deploy 150,000 electric vehicles (EVs) on domestic roads by 2030. To support this, a domestic battery supply chain is not a luxury – it is a strategic necessity. Until now, all prismatic lithium-ion battery modules for e‑buses, agricultural EVs, and grid storage were imported, incurring long lead times, high tariffs, and logistical risks across the Caspian corridor.

The Challenge: Harsh Climate, Skilled Labour Gap, and Cost Sensitivity

The Jizzakh region experiences extreme continental weather – summer temperatures exceeding 45°C, heavy dust storms, and winter frosts below -15°C. Imported battery lines from temperate zones often suffer from cooling inefficiencies, sensor drift, and dust ingress. Moreover, local technical talent is abundant but lacks hands-on experience with high-speed laser welding and robotic polarisation testing. Any solution had to be:

• Climate-hardened – with sealed optical paths, active thermal management, and IP54-rated enclosures.

• Operator-friendly – with intuitive HMI and step-by-step diagnostic guidance in Russian and Uzbek.

• Cost-competitive – to achieve a 30% lower module cost than imported equivalents, making EVs affordable for taxi fleets and municipal buses.

The Solution: A Compact, High-Precision Automated Cell-to-Module Line

In response, a dedicated prismatic battery module production line was engineered and commissioned over 14 months. The line integrates seven core workstations, fully synchronised via a central MES (Manufacturing Execution System):

The entire floor footprint is only 380 m² – remarkably compact for an annual capacity of 12,000 modules (enough for 4,000 e‑buses or 60 MWh of stationary storage). Changeover between cell formats (VDA 355, 390, and custom 650 mm) takes under 30 minutes, enabling flexible production for both transport and utility clients.

Local Adaptation: Designed for Uzbekistan’s Realities

To address the dusty, hot environment, engineers added:

• Pressurised clean-air cabinets over the laser optics and polarity sensors, reducing cleaning intervals from daily to weekly.

• Water‑cooled chiller units that use evaporative cooling – optimised for low‑humidity conditions, cutting water consumption by 40% compared to air‑cooled systems.

• Offline simulation software pre‑programmed with local voltage/frequency fluctuations (220V ±15%, 50 Hz), so the line automatically throttles peak power draws during grid sags – a common issue in regional industrial parks.

The line was officially inaugurated on June 25, 2026, in a ceremony attended by regional governors and representatives from the Ministry of Energy. In his speech, Deputy Minister Karimov highlighted:

“This facility is not a mere assembly shop – it is a technology transfer hub. Our engineers have already completed 2,000 hours of on‑site training, and we expect to create 220 direct jobs and 350 indirect jobs in logistics, maintenance, and recycling within two years. More importantly, it reduces our battery import bill by an estimated $47 million annually, while enabling us to export modules to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Afghanistan – markets that share our climate and mobility needs.”

Local municipality data shows that within the first trial month, the line produced 340 modules that were installed in 85 electric micro‑buses for Tashkent’s new BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) route. Early feedback from drivers: battery temperatures remained 8°C lower than previous imported units, thanks to the adhesive and stacking uniformity.

Results at a Glance (First 30 Days)

Future Roadmap

Encouraged by the initial success, the joint venture plans to double capacity by Q1 2028 and add a second‑life battery testing station for retired EV packs – transforming waste into solar farm buffers. The government has already allocated a 12‑hectare plot adjacent to the plant for a supplier park, aiming to increase local content to 55% within three years.

Conclusion: A Replicable Model for Arid‑Region Electrification

This project proves that advanced prismatic battery automation can thrive outside traditional manufacturing hubs – provided the line is purpose‑adapted to local dust, heat, and grid conditions. For Uzbekistan, it marks the dawn of a domestic energy‑storage ecosystem that strengthens energy security, creates skilled careers, and positions the country as a regional battery champion.

As Ms. Vakhabova put it during the closing ceremony: “We are not just assembling cells – we are assembling confidence in our industrial future.”