Masdar has signed an Implementation Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan to expand the ability of its utility-scale wind farm project –Uzbekistan’s first of its kind–to up to 1.5 GW.
H.E. Shukhrat Vafaev, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade, and H.E. Sherzod Khodjaev, Deputy Minister of Energy, signed the project capacity extension agreement with Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar. Â
“Mobilization of renewable energy potential in Uzbekistan would provide significant contribution to sustainable economic growth and fighting climate change. Along with that, expansion of clean power generation capacities by Masdar will support our objective to double the volume of electricity generation by 2030. Masdar will become a strong bridge connecting our countries, through which new Emirati companies will also invest in Uzbekistan.”
Sardor Umurzakov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade for the Republic of Uzbekistan.
“For the UAE it is important that our actions on climate can help amplify the efforts of others around the world. This partnership is a clear example of how we are putting that tenet into practice. Together, we have an unprecedented opportunity to leverage our collective climate action to enhance sustainable growth in Uzbekistan, while making real progress on global climate goals.”
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology.
“We value our partnership with Masdar and welcome this expansion, which will be the largest facility of its kind in our region. This is a vitally important project for Uzbekistan, helping us build towards our target of 25 percent of electricity generated by renewables by 2030.”
Alisher Sultanov, Minister of Energy for the Republic of Uzbekistan.
“Today’s landmark agreement will enhance co-operation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates in the field of renewable energy. As signatories to the Paris Agreement, Uzbekistan and the UAE are committed to driving collective action on climate. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with Uzbekistan further by developing more clean energy projects with them in future.”
Suhail Al Mazrouei, the UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.
“Today’s event highlights the significant progress we have made, not only on this project but in helping the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan to achieve its clean-energy and climate change objectives. As a global leader in the development of utility-scale wind power, Masdar is proud to support Uzbekistan’s low-carbon energy strategy, and to strengthen our partnership with the Government to drive sustainable development.”
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar.
Last year, Masdar signed bilateral agreements with the Government of Uzbekistan to construct, install, and operate the 500-megawatt (MW) wind farm project, the company’s second utility-scale renewable energy project in the country and the largest wind farm in Central Asia. More than $600 million in foreign direct investment would be attracted to the project.
Extending the project’s potential to 1.5 GW in the Zarafshan district of the Navoi region would help Uzbekistan achieve its targets of adding up to 3 GW of wind energy and meeting 25 percent of its electricity needs from renewable sources by the end of the decade.
The 500 MW Zarafshan wind farm is set to go operational by the end of 2024. The plant, with a capacity of 500 MW, will provide enough electricity to fuel 500,000 homes while displacing 1.1 million tons of CO2 per year.
In June of last year, Masdar signed the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and Investment Agreement for the Zarafshan wind farm with the Republic of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade and JSC National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan.
