In a significant move toward sustainable energy, the President of Uzbekistan has inaugurated the “Gozar” solar power project developed by Masdar. This innovative project boasts a production capacity of 300 megawatts and includes a battery storage system capable of holding 75 megawatt-hours of energy. The launch ceremony took place in the capital city of Tashkent and marks a critical step in Uzbekistan’s energy transition.
Inauguration and Collaborative Agreements
During the official ceremony, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was joined by Jamshid Khojaev, the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, and Suhail Mohamed Faris Al Mazrouei, the UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. Together, they exchanged investment agreements related to energy storage and network connectivity for the “Zarafshan” battery storage project, which is the largest independent project of its kind in the country. Additionally, plans for a wind power station with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts were discussed, marking the first phase of a developmental program aimed at reaching a total capacity of 2,000 megawatts.
UAE’s Commitment to Uzbekistan
Suhail Al Mazrouei emphasized that the UAE is a primary partner to Uzbekistan in advancing its energy sector, particularly in renewable energy and strategic projects that support sustainable growth. He remarked, “The cooperation between our countries has facilitated the implementation of quality projects that enhance energy security and set a pioneering model for the shift towards clean and reliable sources.” He also pointed out that Masdar’s efforts, which have surpassed 2,000 megawatts in Central Asia, are pivotal in supporting Uzbekistan’s initiatives to create a more efficient and sustainable energy framework, benefiting future generations.
Advancing Energy Projects
Uzbekistan’s Minister of Energy, Jurabek Mirzamamodov, reflected on the recent development in bilateral relations with the UAE, noting that during President Mirziyoyev’s visit in January, ties were elevated to a strategic partnership. Masdar has been instrumental in kickstarting green energy initiatives in Uzbekistan, including the launch of the first solar photovoltaic plant in the country in 2021. “In collaboration with Masdar, we have initiated five solar power stations with a cumulative capacity of 1,247 megawatts,” he added.
Future Prospects and Goals
The “Gozar” project is anticipated to begin operation by 2027 and will supply electricity to 60,000 homes while preventing over 400,000 tons of emissions. Complementarily, the “Zarafshan” battery storage project, scheduled for 2028, will have a capacity of 300 megawatts and will store energy sufficient to supply approximately 1.3 million homes for two hours. These initiatives not only advance Masdar’s ongoing work in Uzbekistan, which currently encompasses clean energy projects totaling around 2 gigawatts, but they also aim to foster a greener future for the nation, in line with its goal to generate 54% of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030.
Uzbekistan’s strategic market within the Commonwealth of Independent States positions Masdar to enhance its global project portfolio capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2030. With ongoing projects in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, Masdar is focused on delivering stable, competitively priced clean energy while addressing the increasing demand for electricity.