An UzA correspondent interviewed Alimardon Abdukarimov, the Director General of ACWA Power Riverside Solar, the Director General of the first green hydrogen production project of ACWA Power in Uzbekistan, about the projects implemented in Uzbekistan.

– It hasn’t been long since ACWA Power of Saudi Arabia began its activities in Uzbekistan, and over the past three years, it has made significant investments in our country, – he says. – Personally, I am one of the first employees of the company in our country.

The company’s first project in Uzbekistan is a 1,500 MW thermal power plant in Syrdarya. About 2,400 local and foreign workers worked on its construction over three years, which has been highly beneficial to our economy. During construction, 70 percent of local workers were employed and adopted foreign experience. This is considered an outstanding achievement.

Gas-steam turbines were brought for the station from Japan and Germany. Today, its capacity of 1000 MW was put into operation ahead of schedule. In addition, our projects include wind power plants with a capacity of 2,500 MW in Bukhara region and a capacity of 100 MW in Nukus. Work on these three projects is currently in full swing.

It should be noted that $1.2 billion in investments were attracted for the implementation of our first project and $1.3 billion for the construction of wind power plants.

The creation of solar power plants with a capacity of 1200 MW has also begun in Tashkent and Samarkand regions. The first 100 MW of energy produced at the solar power plant, currently being built in Yuqorichirchiq district of Tashkent region, is planned to be received in April, and the next 100 MW at the end of May.

ACWA Power aims to allocate investments considering Uzbekistan’s economic development to increase domestic demand and export potential and expand the volume of green energy production. At the same time, we want to contribute to solving the priority tasks outlined by Uzbekistan for the development of green energy until 2030.

The capacity of the solar power plant, which is being built in Yuqorichirchiq district, will be 200 MW, and it is planned to build an electricity storage facility with a capacity of 500 MW nearby. What will it give? This electricity storage system will help ensure a stable supply of this energy source.

What is this project for? As is known, a solar power plant supplies electricity only during daylight hours. This electrical energy storage system is designed to provide energy for extended periods without sun. A similar storage facility will be built on the territory of the solar power plant under construction in Samarkand.

In addition, in Chirchiq district of Tashkent region, we began implementing the first pilot project in our country, “Green Energy”, initiated by the President. Through this project, we want to demonstrate to the world our capabilities in electricity production and green hydrogen, which we can supply to the energy system of Uzbekistan and beyond using the most advanced technologies.

By the end of the year, we will complete the implementation of a 20 MW green hydrogen production project. This will be the first facility of this kind not only in Uzbekistan, but worldwide.

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Interviewed by Nasiba Ziyodullayeva, UzA