The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has unveiled a pivotal new initiative to finance the Samarkand Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Battery Energy Storage System Project in Uzbekistan. This comprehensive project encompasses a 500 MW solar PV power plant, a 500 MWh battery energy storage system, a transmission line, and other vital infrastructure.

Spearheaded by ACWA Power, this program marks one of the inaugural utility-scale renewable energy endeavors in Uzbekistan, significantly contributing to the nation's ambition of expanding its renewable energy capacity to 12 gigawatts.

Prior to this announcement, ADB and Masdar had already sealed a USD 46.5 million loan agreement for the construction of the Nur Bukhara Solar Power Station, which will also incorporate a battery energy storage system. The financing package includes USD 26.5 million from ADB's general capital resources and USD 20 million from the leading Asian private infrastructure fund managed by ADB.

The Nur Bukhara project boasts a generation capacity of 250MW and an energy storage capacity of 126 MWh. Furthermore, it entails the construction of a 20 kV substation and a 3.1-kilometer transmission line to seamlessly integrate the facility into the national grid. (Date: 27 August 2024 / Source: azernews.az)