BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 17. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is lending Uzbekistan's Samarkand $49 million to deploy electric buses, Trend reports via the bank.
Following this agreement, Samarkand has become the first Uzbek city to join EBRD's 'Green Cities' program.
A long-term EBRD sovereign loan of up to $49 million will benefit SamarqandYo'lovchiTrans, a state-owned enterprise, that will be responsible for operating the new fleet. The funds will be used for the acquisition of up to 100 medium (10.5-meters) electric buses as well as chargers and for the establishment of the necessary infrastructure, including an electronic bus station, substation, administrative buildings and facilities for operation and maintenance.
"This is the first project under the Samarkand Green City Action Plan (GCAP) – a crucial tool that helps the municipality set out its sustainable development vision and strategic objectives, as well as the actions and investments required to address high-priority environmental issues. The GCAP, jointly developed by the EBRD and the city, will help reduce noise and air pollution, including the reduction of CO2 and other harmful emissions, among other things. It will also take into account the views and ideas of the local community," the bank said.
To date, the EBRD has invested more than 4 billion euros in 129 projects across Uzbekistan.