TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 7. French Voltalia energy company and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade have discussed the expansion of the company’s presence on the Uzbek energy market, Trend reports.
The issue was discussed during a meeting between Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov and Sebastian Clerc, Chief Executive Officer of Voltalia.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the course of implementation of the current agreements and further steps to strengthen cooperation in the field of alternative energy sources development.
The French company got familiarized in detail with the progress of structural reforms, modernization and diversification of the energy sector of Uzbekistan as well as the adopted Program for the transition to a green economy and ensuring green growth until 2030 ('Uzbekistan-2030').
Moreover, it was mentioned that the country's solar energy potential is equivalent to 51 billion tons of oil, while the wind energy potential is equivalent to 360 million tons of oil.
Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their intentions to strengthen partnership and determined the format of interaction for the accelerated implementation of existing agreements.
Earlier this year, Voltalia and Uzbekistan have signed a protocol for the construction of a new hybrid power plant project in Shurkul district near Uzbekistan’s Navoi region.
The power facility will combine a wind farm and a solar photovoltaic farm, each having a capacity of 200 MW. A 60 MW battery system (with a total capacity of 240 MWh) will also be included in the complex.
The electric cluster is scheduled to go into service in 2026. According to Voltalia, the planned project will be the first of its sort in Central Asia.