Uzbekistan Unveils 8GW Renewables Goal

Central Asian country Uzbekistan is planning to build 8GW of renewables capacity between 2020 and 2030 as part of a 10-year strategy for electricity provision unveiled today.
 
The country's Ministry of Energy said in a 'concept note' that it planned to construct about 3GW of wind and 5GW of solar power.
 
Projects will be implemented using finance provided exclusively by investors, the note said.
Wind farms between 100MW and 500MW will be sited mainly in the north-western region of the country, it added.
 
Solar farms ranging from 100MW to 500MW will be concentrated in central and southern regions, with projects between 50MW and 200MW in other regions.
 
The note said that in order to promote investment in the sector a competitive bidding process – tenders and auctions – shall be implemented together with international financial institutions during the 2020-2022 period.
 
Uzbekistan envisages wind and solar accounting for 22% of the country's generation by 2030, compared with zero last year.
 
Uzbekistan Minister of Energy Alisher Sultanov said: “Our new Concept Note outlines a comprehensive strategy to satisfy the increasing demand for electrical power in Uzbekistan.
 
“It also means our power sector’s development will continue in line with international best practice.
 
“The strategy is ambitious in scope, but grounded in realism with, practical and achievable goals to reach by 2030.”