Uzbekistan Sees High Foreign Interest in its Renewable Energy Push

The Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan has shared an update on progress towards the aim of generating a quarter of all electricity from renewable energy, by 2030.

The Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan has shared an update on progress towards the country’s ambitious aim of generating a quarter of all electricity from renewable sources, by 2030.

“This update reflects on the nations’ commitment to international best practice and transparency, the country’s growing role in the regional and global energy market, and its strategy for energy efficiency and sustainability,” the Ministry of Energy issued in a release.

The Ministry of Energy is taking active measures to implement large-scale projects in renewable energy and the last twelve months have seen a variety of committed FDI from international companies, tenders and collaborations with international partners.

Key highlights from the update issued by the ministry include:

1. Ten-year programme to build 5,000 MW of solar power and 3,000 MW of wind power:

–  FDI investors currently being selected by the Ministry of Energy to implement these projects

–  Assistance is provided by international institutions: World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

2. Agreements signed with:

–  ACWA Power (Saudi Arabia) – three agreements worth over US$2 billion to construct a 500-1,000 MW wind power plant and a 1,500 MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Power Plant

–  Masdar (UAE) – construction of a 500 MW wind power plant in the Navoiy Region

–  TOTAL Eren (France) – construction of a 100 MW solar power station in the Samarkand region

3. EBRD assistance to Government of Uzbekistan to develop 1,000 MW of wind energy projects

–  Tender for a project in Karakalpakstan to be announced soon

4. Programme between Government of Uzbekistan and ADB to create 1 GW of solar energy

–  First pilot project, in February 2020, to construct 200 MW solar power plant in the Surkhandarya region

–  54 companies submitted applications for the tender, including international companies tendering for the first time

5. First stage of the international tender for construction of a 100 MW solar power plant in the Navoiy region, completed

–  Attended by a global array of companies. The process won by Masdar (UAE)

6. Second phase of tenders for Scaling solar II project

–  Construction of solar power plants on a PPP basis, led by the Ministry of Energy with the assistance of the International Finance Corporation (IFC)

7. Second tender announced for the construction of two 200 MW solar power plants in the Samarkand and Jizzakh regions of Uzbekistan

Alisher Sultanov, Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan, said “our significant energy ambitions and strategic plan to 2030 are being matched by our current activities. The material contribution of renewable energy to our country’s overall energy mix, and its efficiency, is a crucial part of our strategy. We are collaborating with blue-chip international institutions and welcoming an array of international companies who are excited to be investing in Uzbekistan.

“We are working tirelessly for our country’s energy security and will keep audiences regularly updated on all our activities and momentum.”