Uzbekistan Opens 1,500 MW Power Plant with Saudi Partner ACWA Power
A new 1,500-megawatt thermal power plant has been commissioned in Uzbekistan’s Syrdarya region, developed in partnership with Saudi energy company ACWA Power. The announcement was made by Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov during an interview with O’zbekiston 24, the ministry’s press service reports.
The minister said that alongside the Syrdarya plant, new renewable facilities have begun operating, including a 200 MW solar station in Tashkent region, two 500 MW wind farms in Bukhara region, and a 100 MW wind project in Karakalpakstan. By the end of the year, an energy storage system will also be launched in Parkent district to store surplus electricity and supply it during peak hours.
The partnership with ACWA Power extends beyond infrastructure, focusing also on workforce training. A new educational programme has been introduced at the energy college in the city of Shirin to equip specialists with modern technical skills.
Further collaboration agreements have been reached with Saudi company Vision Invest and US-based Air Products to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for Uzbekistan’s new airport, which is planned to operate entirely on renewable fuel.
In addition, Saudi firm Pemco is set to begin construction of a 200 MW gas-engine power plant in Samarkand region by the end of the year, continuing Uzbekistan’s rapid energy modernisation drive.
