“Green” energy in Uzbekistan: prospects for solar and wind power
Uzbekistan has a very high potential in the use of renewable energy sources. According to the estimates of the International Energy Agency and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Uzbekistan has a combined renewable energy potential for electricity production of 2,091 billion kWh (30 times higher than annual consumption). And in recent years, much attention has been paid to this area in the development of the existing potential.
Uzbekistan, as a country with about 320 sunny days a year, has the highest potential in the development of solar energy, the total potential of which is 2,058 billion kWh. The Surkhandarya, Bukhara and Kashkadarya regions have the greatest potential in this direction, where the average output per panel is 1,680-1,700 kW. h per year. The average level of solar radiation is in Karakalpakstan, Syrdarya and Tashkent regions, and the lowest is in the regions of the Fergana Valley. Currently, 8 public-private partnership projects are being implemented to develop the potential of solar energy with the production of 4.3 billion kWh (1.6 GW) for .3 billion.
Uzbekistan also has a high potential of wind energy in the north-western and south-western parts of the republic, the gross potential of which, according to various estimates, can range from 22 to 4,090 billion kWh, technical — more than 9.9 billion kWh, the highest — in Karakalpakstan (4.4 billion kW. h), Navoi (2.9 billion kW. h), Bukhara (1 billion kW. h) regions. Realizing the potential of wind energy will save 3.3 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. Recently, 7 PPP projects have been implemented in this direction with the production of 11.3 billion kWh (3.1 GW) for $ 3.6 billion.
It should be noted that special attention is paid to the development of the "green economy", in particular, "green energy" in Uzbekistan. In this regard, a bold step was taken to increase the volume of electricity production based on renewable energy sources.
In particular, over the past 4-5 years, 21 agreements have been signed with international companies on the construction of solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 7,047 MW and 5 contracts for the transportation of electricity produced for their own needs with a total capacity of 2,030 MW. In order to ensure the implementation of these projects, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan signed 15 Decrees.
Thus, 19 solar energy projects with a total capacity of 3,977 MW and 7 wind farms with a total capacity of 3,100 MW are currently being implemented.
These investment projects are carried out by the following companies: “ACWA Power” from Saudi Arabia, “Masdar” from the United Arab Emirates, “Total Eren” and “Voltalia" from France, “Gezhouba Overseas Investment Group” from China and “Tepelen Group AG" from Switzerland.
The total cost of these projects is more than 9 billion US dollars, and all of them will be implemented by foreign companies through direct investment.
As a result of the measures taken, in August 2021, the first large solar photovoltaic plant with a capacity of 100 MW was launched in Uzbekistan in the Karmaninsky district of Navoi region. Similarly, in May 2022, a second solar photovoltaic plant with a capacity of 100 MW began operation in the Nurabad district of the Samarkand region.
In addition, in 2023-2024, 7 solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 2,797 MW will be put into operation, including in the city of Sherabad, Surkhandarya region, Gallyaral, Jizzakh region, Kattakurgan, Samarkand region, Tomdinsky district of Navoi region, Yukori-Chirchik districts of Tashkent region, as well as in Kashkadarya, Bukhara and Namangan regions.
In 2025, 2 wind farms with a capacity of 500 MW each will be put into operation in the Peshkin and Gijduvan districts of the Bukhara region, and in 2026 4 wind farms with a total capacity of 1600 MW will be put into operation in the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
It should be noted that as a result of systematic work, solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of more than 8000 MW, hydroelectric power plants with a capacity of 868 MW will start operating in Uzbekistan by 2026.
Currently, a tender for the construction of a 200 MW wind farm is underway in the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
In addition, on February 16, 2023, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted a resolution "On measures to accelerate the introduction of renewable energy sources and energy-saving technologies in 2023", according to which it is planned to commission renewable energy facilities with a total capacity of 1.8 GW by the end of 2023.
Another historic step
For the first time in the history of Uzbekistan, the practice of public procurement of electricity produced using solar panels installed in households was introduced.
When installing solar panels and solar-powered water heating devices in homes, individuals are provided with a number of advantages.
The platform was launched https://energymarket.uz for individuals, where it is possible to purchase solar panels and devices for heating water on solar energy online.
These devices can be purchased in two different ways. The first one, with an interest-free (0%) installment payment for 3 years. Second, in case of full payment, the consumer will receive compensation from the state depending on the power of the device.
Prospects of "green" energy
The "Development Strategy of the New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026" outlined the following goals: to increase the volume of electricity generation by an additional 30 billion kWh by 2026, to bring the share of renewable energy sources to 25 percent by 2026, to reduce the amount of harmful gases emitted into the atmosphere per unit of GDP by economic sectors by 10 percent. And according to the EBRD estimates given in the "Roadmap for Uzbekistan's transition to low—carbon energy until 2040", renewable energy capacity should reach 47 GW, and by 2050 — 97 GW, and electricity storage capacity - 15 GW (39 GW).
In conclusion, it should be noted that the widespread use of renewable energy sources saves natural resources and reduces the amount of damage caused to nature. This helps to unload power grids, prevent accidents, reduce technological losses, and most importantly, activates the process of switching to environmentally friendly, "green" energy. Such efforts are important not only for today, but also for the future.
Abdullajon Otabaev,
Head of the Department for the Development of Renewable Energy Generation of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan, as a country with about 320 sunny days a year, has the highest potential in the development of solar energy, the total potential of which is 2,058 billion kWh. The Surkhandarya, Bukhara and Kashkadarya regions have the greatest potential in this direction, where the average output per panel is 1,680-1,700 kW. h per year. The average level of solar radiation is in Karakalpakstan, Syrdarya and Tashkent regions, and the lowest is in the regions of the Fergana Valley. Currently, 8 public-private partnership projects are being implemented to develop the potential of solar energy with the production of 4.3 billion kWh (1.6 GW) for .3 billion.
Uzbekistan also has a high potential of wind energy in the north-western and south-western parts of the republic, the gross potential of which, according to various estimates, can range from 22 to 4,090 billion kWh, technical — more than 9.9 billion kWh, the highest — in Karakalpakstan (4.4 billion kW. h), Navoi (2.9 billion kW. h), Bukhara (1 billion kW. h) regions. Realizing the potential of wind energy will save 3.3 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. Recently, 7 PPP projects have been implemented in this direction with the production of 11.3 billion kWh (3.1 GW) for $ 3.6 billion.
It should be noted that special attention is paid to the development of the "green economy", in particular, "green energy" in Uzbekistan. In this regard, a bold step was taken to increase the volume of electricity production based on renewable energy sources.
In particular, over the past 4-5 years, 21 agreements have been signed with international companies on the construction of solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 7,047 MW and 5 contracts for the transportation of electricity produced for their own needs with a total capacity of 2,030 MW. In order to ensure the implementation of these projects, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan signed 15 Decrees.
Thus, 19 solar energy projects with a total capacity of 3,977 MW and 7 wind farms with a total capacity of 3,100 MW are currently being implemented.
These investment projects are carried out by the following companies: “ACWA Power” from Saudi Arabia, “Masdar” from the United Arab Emirates, “Total Eren” and “Voltalia" from France, “Gezhouba Overseas Investment Group” from China and “Tepelen Group AG" from Switzerland.
The total cost of these projects is more than 9 billion US dollars, and all of them will be implemented by foreign companies through direct investment.
As a result of the measures taken, in August 2021, the first large solar photovoltaic plant with a capacity of 100 MW was launched in Uzbekistan in the Karmaninsky district of Navoi region. Similarly, in May 2022, a second solar photovoltaic plant with a capacity of 100 MW began operation in the Nurabad district of the Samarkand region.
In addition, in 2023-2024, 7 solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 2,797 MW will be put into operation, including in the city of Sherabad, Surkhandarya region, Gallyaral, Jizzakh region, Kattakurgan, Samarkand region, Tomdinsky district of Navoi region, Yukori-Chirchik districts of Tashkent region, as well as in Kashkadarya, Bukhara and Namangan regions.
In 2025, 2 wind farms with a capacity of 500 MW each will be put into operation in the Peshkin and Gijduvan districts of the Bukhara region, and in 2026 4 wind farms with a total capacity of 1600 MW will be put into operation in the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
It should be noted that as a result of systematic work, solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of more than 8000 MW, hydroelectric power plants with a capacity of 868 MW will start operating in Uzbekistan by 2026.
Currently, a tender for the construction of a 200 MW wind farm is underway in the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
In addition, on February 16, 2023, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted a resolution "On measures to accelerate the introduction of renewable energy sources and energy-saving technologies in 2023", according to which it is planned to commission renewable energy facilities with a total capacity of 1.8 GW by the end of 2023.
Another historic step
For the first time in the history of Uzbekistan, the practice of public procurement of electricity produced using solar panels installed in households was introduced.
When installing solar panels and solar-powered water heating devices in homes, individuals are provided with a number of advantages.
The platform was launched https://energymarket.uz for individuals, where it is possible to purchase solar panels and devices for heating water on solar energy online.
These devices can be purchased in two different ways. The first one, with an interest-free (0%) installment payment for 3 years. Second, in case of full payment, the consumer will receive compensation from the state depending on the power of the device.
Prospects of "green" energy
The "Development Strategy of the New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026" outlined the following goals: to increase the volume of electricity generation by an additional 30 billion kWh by 2026, to bring the share of renewable energy sources to 25 percent by 2026, to reduce the amount of harmful gases emitted into the atmosphere per unit of GDP by economic sectors by 10 percent. And according to the EBRD estimates given in the "Roadmap for Uzbekistan's transition to low—carbon energy until 2040", renewable energy capacity should reach 47 GW, and by 2050 — 97 GW, and electricity storage capacity - 15 GW (39 GW).
In conclusion, it should be noted that the widespread use of renewable energy sources saves natural resources and reduces the amount of damage caused to nature. This helps to unload power grids, prevent accidents, reduce technological losses, and most importantly, activates the process of switching to environmentally friendly, "green" energy. Such efforts are important not only for today, but also for the future.
Abdullajon Otabaev,
Head of the Department for the Development of Renewable Energy Generation of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan