Will Uzbekistan fund a 250-megawatt solar photovoltaic plant?

TASHKENT, May 21, 2024 — The World Bank Group, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar), and the Government of Uzbekistan have signed a financial package to fund a 250-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic plant with a 63-MW battery energy storage system (BESS).

What is the Uzbekistan energy project?

7. The Project builds on the World Bank energy program in Uzbekistan by scaling up the private investment and commercial financing, diversification of power mix from domestic resources (solar), clean energy transition and decarbonization.

Who will sell electricity to in Uzbekistan?

The project company is committed to selling electricity to the state-owned National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan JSC under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement for the project, including a 10-year operating term for the BESS component, signed by these two entities.

What is a power purchase agreement (PPA) for Uzbekistan?

ACWA Power and the JSC National Electrical Grid of Uzbekistan signed a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the development/construction/operation of a 500 MW photovoltaic plant including a 334MW battery energy storage system (“BESS”), Substation, 70km 220Kv and 350km 500kv with double circuit single tower OHTLs.

What is Uzbekistan's energy policy?

Uzbekistan's energy policy emphasizes the deployment of renewable energy, encouraged by early achievements to invite private sector investments in multiple large solar and wind power projects, the government is currently working on increasing the solar capacity to 7 GW and wind capacity to 5 GW.

Why is Uzbekistan so energy-intensive?

Uzbekistan remains one of the most energy-intensive economies in the world. Energy use is largely based on fossil fuels, although the country has significant RE potential in solar and wind. Natural gas makes up to 83 percent of total primary energy consumption and more than 80 percent of the electricity mix.