UAE renewable energy conglomerate Masdar has announced that it has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Energy, Kyrgyzstan, to develop a pipeline of renewable projects in the Central Asian country, with a capacity of up to 1 gigawatt (GW).
The firm will first develop a 200 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant. The 200 MW plant is scheduled to begin operation by 2026.
The agreement was signed by Ibraev Taalaibek Omukeevich, Minister of Energy of the Kyrgyzstan and Mohamed Jamel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar.
Ibraev Taalaibek Omukeevich, said on the occasion, “The successful implementation of projects to develop solar power plants of up to 1 GW capacity will help to ensure our nation’s energy security. The large-scale development of the renewable energy system will also help to improve employment, living conditions and energy supply for the population of the republic, reduce poverty in rural areas, and improve the level of education, as well as introduce new modern technologies.”
Mohammed Jameel Al Ramahi, stated, “Masdar has considerable experience in Central Asia and we will leverage our expertise to support the Kyrgyz Republic’s clean energy objectives. Kyrgyzstan is blessed with abundant solar resources and we see this 200 MW plant being the first of a number of projects that will support the nation’s goals on emissions reductions, while increasing clean energy access and security.”
Kyrgyzstan is looking to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 44 percent by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Today, the country generates around 90 per cent of its electricity from clean energy resources but this exclusively come from aging hydropower plants. Masdar said that Kyrgyzstan’s high solar irradiation levels provide the opportunity to increase clean energy access and security.
The implementation agreement builds upon an MoU signed by the two sides in April 2022, in which Masdar agreed to explore renewable energy opportunities in Kyrgyzstan. Under the agreement, Masdar would explore and invest in a wide range of renewable energy projects such as ground-mounted solar PV, floating solar PV, and hydropower projects.
With a goal of achieving 100 GW renewable energy capacity and green hydrogen production of 1 million tonnes per annum annually by 2030, Masdar claims to be a clean energy powerhouse that looks to spearhead the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and drive the global energy transition.
