ACWA Power, a leading Saudi producer, investor, and operator of energy production and desalinated water plants in 13 countries, has entered an implementation deal for the production, installation, and operation of a 1500 MW wind power project in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, with the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Energy.

The accord was reached in the attendance of Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman, Minister of Energy, and Sardor Umurzakov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan.

When completed, the plant would be the biggest wind farm in Central Asia and one of the biggest in the world.

Ayad AlAmri, executive general manager of market growth for ACWA Power, and Sherzod Khodjaev, deputy minister at the Uzbekistan Ministry of Energy, and Shukhrat Vafaev, deputy minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, signed the deal on behalf of ACWA Power.

The signature ceremony was participated by Mohammad Abunayyan, chairman of ACWA Power, Yazeed Al Humaid, director of local investment at the Public Investment Fund, and Saudi and Uzbek officials.

The incorporation, growth, installation, and operation of the biggest wind farm in the Central Asian area by a Saudi company demonstrates the Kingdom's excellence in the field of energy and its ability to grow the human and technological potential of Saudi companies, especially in the renewables sphere.

The project aims to support the government of Uzbekistan's efforts to enhance the country's energy mix and expand sustainable energy capability consistent with current strategic reforms.

The declaration follows the signing of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and Investment Agreements for two wind power plants in Bukhara and Navoi earlier this year, which totaled 1000 MW. ACWA Power is also building a 1500 MW high-performance gas-fueled power plant in Sirdarya, Uzbekistan.

“We respect our relationship with ACWA Power and embrace this extension, that will be the largest complex, the first of its kind Central Asian region once operational,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade Umurzakov. This initiative would help us achieve our national clean energy goal of taking the by 2030, the gross sustainable energy generating capacity will increase by 25%.”

"As an energy supplier we in Uzbekistan are constantly learning from our Middle Eastern, especially Saudi, colleagues as we manage the shift to a low economy," said Uzbekistan Energy Minister Alisher Sultanov at the event. “ACWA Power's initiative would be a significant contribution to our goal of generating 25% of our electricity from green sources by 2030.”

“We are pleased to confirm the implementation contract for the 1500 MW Karakalpakstan wind farm with Uzbekistan's Ministry of Investments & Foreign Trade, and Ministry of Energy here in Saudi Arabia; extending on our international collaboration and continuing collaboration aimed at stimulating Uzbekistan's energy revolution,” said ACWA Power Chairman Abunayyan.

“This project is just another milestone achievement for the region, and it reaffirms ACWA Power's dedication to collaborating with high growth markets like Uzbekistan to meet their aggressive clean energy ambitions and environmental sustainability.”

The project is projected to satisfy the energy requirements of approximately 4 million homes and offsets approximately 2.5 million tons of Carbon dioxide per year, contributing significantly to the government's goal of generating 30% of Uzbekistan's power output from clean energy sources by 2030, to meet rising yearly energy demand effectively and sustainably.