Uzbekistan

The central Asian nation and the International Finance Corporation are seeking proposals for two 200 MW solar parks planned in the Samarkand and Jizzakh regions. The projects will be awarded 25-year power purchase agreements.

The project is part of the 1 GW solar program developed by the government with the support of the Asian Development Bank. The solar park will be in the Surkhandarya province, in the far southeast of the country.

Uzbek utility Uzbekenergo had received 23 offers for the 100 MW tendered solar plant. Two more solar tenders, with capacities of 400 MW and 500 MW, respectively, will be launched in the near future.

The self-consumption project, being built by EPC contractor Helios Energy, is being realized by the Ministry of Innovative Development. The energy generated will power a free economic zone in the Chust district of the Namangan region.

The Uzbek government last week opened a rooftop solar program which provides 30% of the initial costs for buying and installing a PV system, up to around $320 per project. Tax incentives are also available.

Through the procurement exercise, utility Uzbekenergo aims to deploy 100 MW of solar at an unspecified location in the Navoiy region in southwestern Uzbekistan.

French oil group Total has reached agreement with national utility Uzbekenergo to build a large-scale PV plant in Samarkand province. However, construction on a 100 MW project by China’s Syngyes has been suspended.

China Singyes Solar Technologies has confirmed that it still aims to spin off China Singyes New Materials and list its shares on the secondary board of the Hong Kong stock exchange.

The Government of Uzbekistan announced that five 100 MW solar plants will be installed in the country in the period 2017-2021. Total investments for the plan are expected to reach $1.1 billion.