Masdar starts construction of wind farm in Uzbekistan

AKIPRESS.COM - The cornerstone laying ceremony was held at the site of construction of the wind farm in Zarafshan district of Navoi region by UAE's Masdar company on April 1, the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan said. Masdar, Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade, Ministry of Energy signed an agreement on increase of capacity of the wind farm from initial 500 MW to 1.5 GW.
Last year Masdar signed bilateral agreements with the government of Uzbekistan on design, construction and operation of Central Asia's biggest 500 W wind farm in Navoi region. This wind farm will become the second alternative energy project in the region.
The project was initially estimated at $600 million. With increase of wind farm capacity, invesments will grow to near $1.8 billion.
Increase of capacity to 1.5 GW will allow Uzbekistan to attain the target in increase of wind-generated electricity in future and to boost the share of renewable energy sources in energy sector to 26%.
The wind farm is expected to be launched by the end of 2024. The increase in capacity of the farm will supply electiricty to 1.5 million households and will reduce carbon dioxide emissions to 3.3 million tons a year.