SAMARKAND — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has unveiled a proposal for a significant new renewable energy project in Samarkand, aimed at bolstering Uzbekistan’s capacity for solar energy production and storage, as per Trend.

According to Trend News Agency, the proposed project encompasses the construction of a 500 megawatt solar photovoltaic plant paired with a 500 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), along with necessary transmission lines and auxiliary infrastructure. This initiative, spearheaded by ACWA Power, marks one of the first utility-scale renewable energy endeavors in Uzbekistan to integrate a BESS component. It aligns with the nation’s strategic goal to escalate renewable energy production to 12 GW, potentially setting a precedent to attract more private investment into the sector.

Additionally, the ADB recently finalized a $46.5 million financing agreement with Masdar to develop the Nur Bukhara solar power plant in Uzbekistan’s Bukhara region. This package includes funding from both the ADB’s ordinary capital resources and Leading Asia’s Private Infrastructure Fund, which the ADB manages. The Nur Bukhara project will not only generate 250 megawatts of power but also feature a battery system capable of storing 126 megawatt-hours of energy, further supported by the development of a new substation and transmission facilities.