Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) has signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy (MoE) and the Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade (MIIT) to develop over 2 gigawatts (GW) of solar and wind projects and 500 megawatt-hours of battery energy storage at multiple sites across the Central Asian country.

The development represents deepening relations between the UAE’s clean energy powerhouse and Uzbekistan, which aims to achieve 25 per cent of its energy mix from renewables by 2030.

The Central Asian nation, abundant in wind and sunshine, is a key strategic destination for Masdar. Uzbekistan plans to achieve 7 GW of solar and 5 GW of wind capacity by the end of the decade.

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate and Chairman of Masdar, said, “The UAE is fully committed to supporting countries to decarbonise. Uzbekistan is a key strategic partner, and we continue to work together to deliver renewable energy projects that power homes and businesses, while crucially cutting emissions.

“The world needs to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030 to reach the goals set out in the Paris Agreement. As we prepare to host COP28 in the UAE, we believe ambitious partnerships with countries like Uzbekistan are vital in helping to meet this target.”

The agreement was jointly signed in Uzbekistan by Azim Akhmedkhadjaev, First Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Sarvar Khamidov, Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan; and Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar.

Commenting on the agreement, Al Ramahi said, “We are making history together in Uzbekistan. Our agreement to develop 2 GW of solar and expand into 500 MWh of battery storage, marks an exciting new chapter in Masdar and Uzbekistan’s shared journey. Uzbekistan is a key partner, and Masdar is proud to support its ambitious renewable energy goals.”

Masdar has been active in Uzbekistan since 2019, with the 100 MW Nur Navoi Solar Project, which is the nation’s first successfully financed independent power producer solar project. The plant has been operational since 2021.

Masdar’s growing portfolio in Uzbekistan includes the largest wind farm in Central Asia, the 500 MW capacity Zarafshan plant. Last month, Masdar reached financial close on three solar projects in Jizzakh, Samarkand and Sherabad, which have a combined capacity of around 900 megawatts - making it the largest solar development programme in Central Asia. Once fully operational, the projects will generate enough electricity to power over one million homes, while displacing around one million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.

Established in 2006, Masdar is the UAE’s clean energy powerhouse. It is active in more than 40 countries and has invested in a portfolio of renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of more than 20 GW. Masdar is committed to achieving at least 100 GW total renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Meanwhile Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) has announced on Thursday that it has nearly doubled its clean energy capacity and CO2 displacement in just two years and is on track to fulfil its ambition of becoming one of the world’s largest renewable energy companies by 2030.

According to the company’s Sustainability Report, Masdar achieved a clean energy capacity of 20 gigawatts (GW) in 2022, generated 18,000 gigawatt-hour (GWh) of clean energy and displaced 10 million tonnes of CO2.

The report, which covers Masdar’s global operations for 2022, also highlights the launch of a Green Finance Framework, as well as the company’s commitment to health and safety, and the achievements for programmes involving women and young people.

Commitment to climate action

The Sustainability Report provides clear evidence of the UAE’s commitment to climate action and its credentials as a clean energy champion as it prepares to host COP28 later this year. With significant agreements and projects in the pipeline, Masdar is set to play a major role in the overall success of the UAE’s Year of Sustainability in 2023.

In 2022, Masdar signed several significant agreements in new and existing markets including Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tanzania.  The Sharjah Waste-to-Energy project, the first commercial scale waste to energy project in the Middle East was inaugurated in partnership with BEEAH, and work continued on the Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Independent Power Producer Project, set to be the world’s largest single-site solar power plant upon completion.

WAM