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“In Uzbekistan, energy will be cheaper than in China” - the head of Acwa Power

The head of the Saudi Acwa Power Muhammad Abunayyan said that Uzbekistan will become one of the most competitive green energy producers in the world. He called the wind potential of Karakalpastan unique not only in the region, but also in the world: "Believe me, the energy here will be cheaper than in China."

Uzbekistan will become the most competitive in the world as a manufacturer of green energy. This was announced on June 11 at the Tashkent International Investment Forum by the founder and chairman of the board of directors of the Saudi Energy Company Acwa Power Muhammad Abunayyan, the newspaper correspondent reports.

He praised the energy potential of Uzbekistan and the level of reforms carried out in the country.

“When I first came to Uzbekistan in 2019, my perception of the country was extremely negative. And for me it was a real discovery, how much this beautiful country and its outstanding leadership turned out to be completely different as I expected, ”said Abunayyan.

He noted that the only international visit to the Saudi Arabia government during the Covid-19 pandemic was a trip to Uzbekistan in January 2021. Then a delegation of 80 people arrived in Bukhara.

“The Minister of Investment was shocked. He recalled the visit in 2016, and what he saw in 2021 seemed incredible to him. He was inspired, enthusiastic and impressed by the great leader - his Excellency by the president, ”said the head of Acwa Power.

According to Abunayan, during the first consideration of the project for the construction of a chickenpox in Karakalpastan, the company had doubts-due to political and social factors, as well as the heritage of the past. But after a visit to the place, the opinion changed. “We were pleasantly surprised and inspired. Having returned, we told the government: we want to invest more ... It may be difficult for you to believe, but the wind resources of this region are unique not only for Uzbekistan, but also on a global scale. This is a truly gifted region, ”he said.

In his opinion, Uzbekistan will become the most competitive in the world as a manufacturer of green energy.

“Believe me, energy here will be cheaper than in China. The wind here really blows constantly - even more than we expected. We carried out 12-month dimensions, began the construction of the NUKUS-1 project. And I can say, the wind was stronger than we expected. Now we are implementing Nukus-2, a project in Kungrad and others, ”said the head of the company.

He added that the total amount of ACWA Power investment in Uzbekistan exceeds $ 5 billion, 7.2 GW of capacities are contracted, another 2 GW are at the stage of finalization. In October, it was reported that the company in the Kungrad district of Karakalpakstan will build a 5 GW VES with a capacity of 5 GW. The cost of the energy project is estimated at 6.2 billion dollars.

The Green Cluster in the Kungrad district should become a key element of the region’s development strategy until 2035. 90% of energy in this industrial zone will come from renewable sources. This should create conditions for the transfer of energy -intensive industries. From May 1, a decree has also been valid, which provide a 15% discount on electricity in comparison with the rest of the country.

In addition, ACWA Power announced the start of a new educational project.

“Today, before Madame [Assistant President Saida] Mirziyoyeva, I officially declare: we will accept the training of 100 boys and girls from the region. Already in this semester, after a month and a half. We will send them to Shirin, train and return them back - home, [to Karakalpakstan], ”said the chairman of the board of Acwa Power.

With the support of the company in the city of Shirin, the Syr Darya region, an energy college was opened, where more than 500 students study. Some of them have already graduated from the course and work at the ACWA Power projects, the financial director of the company for Uzbekistan Sumerra Rout said earlier at the forum.

Acwa Power in Uzbekistan

According to Spot, Acwa Power is one of the largest energy companies in Saudi Arabia, which specializes in projects in the field of renewable energy, water supply and storage of electricity. It works in more than 10 countries, including Uzbekistan, where it is one of the largest foreign investors in the energy sector.

So, in Karakalpakstan, with its participation, two windows with a capacity of 1.5 GW and 100 MW are being built now. The cost of one of the stations will be $ 1.65 billion.

The company also implements the project of the thermal power plant in the Syrdarya region with a capacity of 1.5 GW.

In the Palkusky and Giyzhavansky districts of the Bukhara region, work on the creation of wind grounds of 500 MW is underway. The first stage of both projects should earn before the end of this year. About $ 741 million were involved in the implementation.

The company is working on photoelectric stations in the Tashkent and Samarkand regions. In addition, she invests in the green hydrogen plant in Chirchik and attracted Powerchina to its construction. Construction was planned to be completed by December this year. The expenses for the project are previously estimated at $ 88 million.

Among the new initiatives are the construction of winding power plants in the Bukhara region and in Karakalpakstan, where the project cost will be $ 262 million. In addition, in the Samarkand region, it is planned to launch two solar power plants with a total capacity of 1 GW, and in the Tashkent - the creation of a battery storage system with a capacity of 334 MW.

In October, the International Financial Corporation provided an interim loan of $ 240 million for ACWA Power projects in Uzbekistan, including the construction of a FES with a capacity of 1 GW, an electricity accumulation system for 668 MW and the construction of 500 km of high -voltage power lines.



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