“World’s biggest” solar and battery storage offtake deal to deliver giga-scale projects

Saudi energy developer and operator ACWA Power has secured agreements to build three solar PV + storage projects in Uzbekistan, one of the world’s largest solar and battery storage project agreements ever signed.

ACWA Power announced on Monday that it had signed power purchase agreements (PPAs) in Uzbekistan that would allow it to proceed with development of the three projects.

Each project will consist of a solar PV array and battery energy storage system and will be located near the Uzbekistan cities of Tashkent, Bukhara, and Samarkand. Once completed, the three projects will yield a total capacity of 1.4GW of solar generation and an additional 1.5GWh of battery storage capacity.

The Tashkent projects will include a 400MW solar PV plant and 500MWh battery project, while two 500MW solar PV projects and a 500 MWh BESS will be developed in Samarkand. The third 500MWh battery system will be located in Bukhara, and will include overhead transmission lines to help dispatch power to the grid.

Together, ACWA Power’s signing of investment and power purchase agreements mark one of the biggest solar + storage agreements yet, with investment support from the Uzbekistan ministry of investment, industry, and trade, and power to be used by the National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan JSC (NEGU).

The projects will play a vital role in helping Uzbekistan reach its goal of generating 35% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. Uzbekistan has targeted 10,000MW of solar power and 5,000MW of wind power to reach this target by the end of the decade.

“We express our profound gratitude to the wise leadership of Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan for their unwavering support and guidance in driving Uzbekistan’s ambitious renewable energy goals,” said Mohammad Abunayyan, ACWA Power Chairman.

“Our latest venture into Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) is a significant step forward in our partnership and a clear demonstration of our commitment to transform the energy landscape in the Republic.

“As the driver of the largest BESS projects in the region, we are fully equipped to stabilise the grid and accelerate Uzbekistan’s renewable energy agenda.”