AMEA Power has finalized an agreement to develop a 1GW wind power project in Karakalpakstan, a pivotal step in Uzbekistan’s renewable energy ambitions. The Investment Agreement (IA) for the project was signed by Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, and AMEA Power’s Chairman, Hussain Al Nowais, during President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s official visit to the United Arab Emirates on January 13.
In addition to the wind power project, AMEA Power also signed agreements for a 300MWh standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The IA and Battery Storage Service Agreement (BSSA) for the project were signed by Shokhrukh Karabayev, First Deputy Chairman of Uzenergosotish JSC, AMEA Power’s Chairman Hussain Al Nowais, and Chief Development Officer Basma Bentaher.
In the announcement, AMEA Power highlighted the support for Uzbekistan's green transition stating, “These milestones reflect our unwavering commitment to advancing sustainable energy and expanding our footprint across Uzbekistan & Central Asia. Together, we are shaping a cleaner, greener future for generations to come.”
Green Energy Projects in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is advancing its renewable energy agenda with ambitious targets and significant progress. By 2026, the country plans to install 5,000 MW of solar and wind capacity, scaling up to over 18,000 MW by 2030. This expansion is expected to generate 50 bn kWh of electricity annually, save 15 bn cubic meters of natural gas, and reduce harmful gas emissions by 21 mn tons. By 2030, renewables will account for 40% of Uzbekistan’s energy mix, supported by a storage capacity of 4.2 GW.
Several key projects highlight Uzbekistan’s strides in clean energy:
- Navoi Solar Plant (100 MW): Operational since 2021.
- Samarkand and Jizzakh Solar Plants (440 MW): Operational since 2024.
- Navoi Wind Power Plant (500 MW): Under construction.
- Bukhara Solar Plant (250 MW): Includes Central Asia’s first 63 MW/126 MWh battery energy storage system.
In 2024, Uzbekistan connected 2.6 GW of renewable generation and 300 MW of storage to the grid. By year-end, the country announced a new project in Khorezm, a 100 MW solar plant backed by a $3.5 mn World Bank guarantee. Developed by France’s Voltalia, the plant will generate 240 GWh of clean energy annually, powering 60,000 households and reducing CO₂ emissions by 230,000 metric tons. Additionally, Sinoma EC International is set to build a 300 MW solar plant with a 75 MW storage system in Navoi.
At COP29 in Baku, Uzbekistan signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan to develop a green energy corridor for energy exports to Europe. By 2030, the country aims to export 10–15 bn kWh of electricity annually through this initiative.
As of late 2024, Uzbekistan has commissioned nine solar plants and one wind farm, delivering 2.7 GW of renewable capacity. This output has saved 1.27 bn cubic meters of natural gas and prevented 1.76 mn tons of CO₂ emissions, enough to power 1.75 mn households. Looking forward, Uzbekistan plans to add 10 more renewable energy plants in 2024 and seven in 2025, with an additional nine wind farms in Karakalpakstan by 2030, collectively contributing 9,300 MW of capacity.
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