ADB provides funding for 100-MW Uzbek solar project

Nov 25, 2013 - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Friday it would extend a USD-110-million (EUR 81m) loan to Uzbekistan for a 100-MW solar project in the eastern part of the country.

The project is for the construction of a photovoltaic (PV) facility in the city of Samarkand. Apart from ADB’s financing, which will come from its Asian Development Fund, the solar park will be supported with an additional USD 200 million from Uzbekistan’s Fund for Reconstruction and Development and state-owned Uzbekenergo -- the project owner.

Construction of the Samarkand solar park will last five years and is expected to be completed in March 2019.

The solar scheme will help Uzbekistan cope with power outages, diversify its energy mix and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. At present, the country sources almost 90% of its total electricity from fossil fuels. Its solar power potential is estimated to be equal to 50.9 billion tonnes of oil equivalent. The local government aims at a renewables share of 21% in Uzbekistan total energy use by 2031.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.738)

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