Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia have strengthened their cooperation in the field of green energy following a meeting between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, within the framework of the Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh on November 11. The discussions focused on advancing joint investment projects and expanding practical cooperation in renewable energy, particularly “green” hydrogen, wind, and solar power.
President Mirziyoyev expressed satisfaction with the growing partnership between Uzbekistan and ACWA Power, a leading Saudi energy company involved in modernizing the country’s energy sector through direct investments and advanced technologies. This partnership is pivotal as Uzbekistan accelerates its transition towards sustainable energy solutions.
Key focus areas included the construction of wind and solar power plants across Uzbekistan and the fast-tracking of green hydrogen production. An agreement was reached to involve Saudi companies and consultants in improving energy efficiency and localizing energy-intensive industries in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan is set to boost its renewable energy capacity in the coming years, with plans to install 5,000 MW of photovoltaic and wind power by 2026. By 2030, the country aims to exceed 18,000 MW, generating 50bn kWh of electricity annually, saving 15bn cubic meters of natural gas, and reducing harmful gas emissions by 21mn tons per year. These efforts will enable Uzbekistan to generate 40% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
In the past 6-7 years, Uzbekistan has made strides in expanding its renewable energy capacity. A total of 38 agreements have been signed with international companies to develop solar and wind power projects, with a combined capacity of over 20,000 MW. This includes 7,630 MW from solar power plants and 13,000 MW from wind farms. The Uzbek government has supported these projects through 29 decrees facilitating implementation.
Several large-scale renewable energy projects are currently under construction, including 7 solar plants with a combined capacity of 1,700 MW and 3 wind farms totaling 900 MW. The investment in these projects is expected to reach $24.37bn, primarily funded by foreign direct investment, with key investors including ACWA Power, Masdar, Voltalia, and Chinese firms like Gezhouba Overseas Investment Group.
As of November 2024, Uzbekistan has successfully commissioned 9 solar plants and 1 wind farm, generating a total of 2.7 GW of green electricity. These plants have helped save 1.27bn cubic meters of natural gas and prevent the emission of 1.76mn tons of harmful gases. The renewable energy output to date is enough to meet the annual electricity consumption of almost 1.75mn households.
Looking ahead, Uzbekistan plans to add 10 more renewable energy plants by the end of 2024, with a combined capacity of 2,600 MW, and another seven plants in 2025, adding 3,150 MW. By 2030, the country expects to operate nine wind farms in Karakalpakstan with a total capacity of 9,300 MW.
At the COP28 Summit in Dubai in December 2023, President Mirziyoyev highlighted the country’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and diversifying its energy mix.
