Tashkent: The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, inaugurated the Nur Bukhara project, marking the country's first utility-scale integrated solar and battery initiative. This project was developed by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC - Masdar, a prominent global clean energy leader. During the ceremony, the President also officially commenced the construction of Masdar's 300-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) and 75-megawatt hours (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) Guzar project.
According to Emirates News Agency, Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, and Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, witnessed the agreements related to the Zarafshan BESS project and a development plan for a 1,000MW wind power project in the Navoiy region. This wind project will be the initial phase of a 2,000MW program. Al Mazrouei emphasized the UAE's role as a key partner in advancing Uzbekistan's energy sector, particularly in renewable energy projects that support sustainable development.
Al Mazrouei highlighted the transformative projects achieved through the collaboration between the two countries, enhancing energy security and establishing a model for transitioning to clean energy sources. He noted that Masdar's projects in Central Asia now exceed 2,000 megawatts, aiding Uzbekistan's efforts to develop a sustainable energy infrastructure and contributing to long-term economic growth. He expressed pride in expanding the partnership with Uzbekistan.
Jurabek Mirzamahmudov, Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan, remarked on the strengthening relations between Uzbekistan and the UAE, which have evolved into a strategic partnership. He acknowledged Masdar's pioneering role in developing green energy in Uzbekistan, including launching the country's first solar photovoltaic power plant in 2021. He stated that the projects in collaboration with Masdar will significantly contribute to integrating renewable energy sources into Uzbekistan's grid.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, expressed pride in partnering with Uzbekistan on its clean energy journey. He described the inauguration of Nur Bukhara as a milestone in delivering integrated solar and battery storage at scale. The Guzar project and additional agreements will expand Masdar's presence in Uzbekistan, deepening collaboration.
The Nur Bukhara project, with its 250MW solar PV and 63MW/126MWh BESS capacity, can power over 55,000 homes while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 367,000 tonnes annually. The Guzar project, set to start in 2027, will power 60,000 homes, avoiding over 400,000 tonnes of emissions. The Zarafshan BESS project, scheduled for 2028, will store energy to power 1.3 million households for two hours.
These initiatives enhance Masdar's footprint in Uzbekistan, which includes approximately 2 gigawatts of clean energy capacity with investments exceeding US$2 billion. Uzbekistan aims for at least 25GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, generating 54 percent of power from renewables. President Mirziyoyev announced this target at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
The CIS region is a strategic market for Masdar, aiming for a 100GW global portfolio by 2030. Beyond Uzbekistan, Masdar has a presence in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. Masdar's work focuses on delivering competitively priced clean power, integrating solar, wind, and storage solutions to relieve grid constraints.
In October, Masdar commenced the world's first gigascale 24/7 solar and battery storage project in Abu Dhabi, featuring a 5.2GW solar plant with a 19GWh BESS to deliver 1GW baseload renewable power, marking a significant advancement in energy storage innovation.