The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has proposed a 500 MW Solar PV and 500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project in Uzbekistan. The Samarkand project is an initiative of Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power and it consists of the following components: two solar plants (100 MW and 400 MW); a 500 MWh BESS and its interconnection cable; and a 70 km 220kv Overhead Transmission Line (OTL), as well as two Loop-In-Loop-Out Connections (LILOs).
In March 2023, the National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan (NEGU) signed a PPA with ACWA Power for the fast-track development and operation of the project, for a period of 25 years and 20 years from the Commercial Operation Dates (COD) for the solar power plants and BESS components respectively. Afterwards, the project will be handed over to NEGU for subsequent operation and maintenance (O&M).
Uzbekistan plans to increase its renewable energy capacity to 12 GW.