Uzbekistan has started the construction of its first wind farm, the Uzbekistan Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade announced in a statement Friday.
The Abu Dhabi-based Masdar Company will build the 1500-megawatt wind power plant in the Nevoi region of the country.
The project is expected to be the largest wind farm in Central Asia, and completion is planned for 2024.
In his speech at the launch ceremony via videoconference, the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Sardor Umrzakov, hailed the project as important, being the first in its sector and in forming a bridge between Uzbekistan and the UAE. The UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazrouei and the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Sultan al-Cebir, also attended the ceremony.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, chief executive of Masdar, said the project would make a significant contribution to Uzbekistan's realization of clean energy targets.
"Masdar, one of the leaders of the wind energy sector, aims to support Uzbekistan's low-carbon energy transition strategy and to ensure sustainable development," he said.
Last year, a $600 million contract was signed between Masdar and the Uzbekistan government for the construction of a 500-megawatt wind power plant. However, the project capacity was later increased to 1,500 megawatts with a planned investment of $1.6 billion.
The government of Uzbekistan aims to increase the share of solar and wind power plants out of total electricity generation to 26% by 2030.
By Murat Temizer
Anadolu Agency