The introduction of alternative energy sources, especially the construction of solar and wind power plants, is becoming a vital necessity today. After all, the demand for electricity in Uzbekistan is growing day by day.

Based on these needs, the Ministry of Energy is implementing several investment projects. Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power has become a reliable partner in the implementation of these projects.

On 25 January 2021, an agreement was signed with ACWA Power for the implementation of three major projects worth $2.5 billion with a total capacity of 2,500 megawatts.

On 4 March 2023, the parties signed agreements on the construction of two solar photovoltaic power plants in Uzbekistan. On the same day, the construction of a 400 MW photoelectric power plant began in Tashkent region.

The conversation of an UzA Correspondent with the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of ACWA Power, Mr. Mohammad A. Abunayyan, was devoted to the relations between the two countries, in particular, cooperation in green energy.

– Relations between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia have been going on for more than 30 years and are getting stronger every year, – said Mr. Mohammad Abunayyan. – Of course, our countries have always actively cooperated. But over the past six years, after the election of His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev as President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, our relations have risen to a qualitatively new level.

This cooperation covers various areas. One of the most important events in this direction was the official visit of Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Saudi Arabia in August 2022. This visit became an important historical event in our relations and created broad opportunities for the active development of the partnership.

– Mr. Mohammad Abunayyan, would you please tell us about the investment projects implemented by ACWA Power in Uzbekistan in energy?

– As I mentioned above, thanks to official relations between the two countries, cooperation in the energy sector has become even more intensified. This has become an important factor in the activities of our company. We have started implementing green energy development projects in your country.

As a result of mutual trust and agreements reached between the parties, ACWA Power is currently building 5 power plants with a total capacity of 4100 MW in Uzbekistan, in particular, 4 wind power plants with a capacity of 2600 MW and 1 modern thermal power plant with a capacity of 1500 MW.

In March 2023, in Tashkent, ACWA Power signed contracts for the construction of two solar photovoltaic power plants in Uzbekistan. On the same day, our company started construction of a solar photoelectric power plant with a capacity of 400 MW in Tashkent region.

Three agreements on investment and purchase of electricity were signed between ACWA Power, the Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the National Electric Grids of Uzbekistan JSC to implement these projects.

These agreements provide for the commissioning of two solar photovoltaic power plants with a total capacity of 1400 MW in Tashkent and Samarkand regions and three energy storage systems with a total capacity of 1200 MW in Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand regions. I am confident that these projects will also serve to further develop the economy and energy sector of your country.

– Of course, investments are important for the implementation of large projects. How much has the company invested in Uzbekistan’s energy sector?

– Our company is a developer, investor, co-owner and operator of a portfolio of power plants and desalination plants in 10 countries, including countries in the Middle East and North Africa, South Africa and Southeast Asia.

ACWA Power invested $5 billion in Uzbekistan. And thanks to the documents signed in March 2023, the volume of these investments increased by another $2.5 billion.

– What is the role of ACWA Power in attracting other companies from your country to Uzbekistan?

– Of course, our entry into Uzbekistan plays an important role in attracting other Saudi Arabian companies to your country. Most importantly, we have found reliable partners in your country. Without them, we would not have achieved the results that we have now.

I am sure that relations between our countries will continue to be active and cover various areas. Cooperation will be established not only in the energy sector, but also in petrochemistry, tourism, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.

The top leadership of our country played an important role in raising our relations to the current level. We are implementing what the leaders of our countries agreed on. It is a great honor for us. Most importantly, these efforts will serve not only the interests of our states, but also the interests of the peoples of the two countries.

Interviewed by Nasiba Ziyodullayeva, UzA