Saudi renewables developer ACWA Power has installed the first wind turbine for its 500MW Bash wind farm project in the Bukhara region of Uzbekistan.
The installation of the wind turbine and generator was carried out by engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor China Energy Engineering Corporation.
The wind turbine generator was manufactured by Envision and, according to ACWA Power, is the largest of its kind in Central Asia with a capacity of 6.5MW.
The Bash wind farm is expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2025. It will include 79 wind turbine generators and is expected to generate more than 1,650 GWh of electricity annually and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 750 tonnes per year.
ACWA Power has a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the JSC National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan for the project.
Kashif Rana, chief portfolio management officer of ACWA Power said: “The successful installation of the first turbine on the Bash wind farm is just one of the many milestones that we are excited to mark on this project. Most importantly, the steady progress takes us closer to supporting and contributing to Uzbekistan’s long-term ambitions to increase the share of renewables in their energy mix.”
ACWA Power has a portfolio of 10 projects in Uzbekistan, with a combined investment value of $ 7.5 billion.
The government of Uzbekistan has ramped up efforts to deploy more renewable energy. According to the Eurasian Research Institute, the country aims to reach 21% renewables in the overall energy consumption by 2030.
Government authorities have developed a policy framework to support clean energy development, such as implementing the bill on Alternative Energy Sources. However, the Institute emphasises that renewables remain underdeveloped, with the share of alternative energy being less than 2% (excluding medium and large hydropower).
