Construction of another station based on alternative energy has begun

On February 24, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in the Beruni district of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

The construction of a wind farm is planned here in cooperation with the Saudi company ACWA Power. In this regard, the ceremony of laying the first stone of this complex took place.

– Karakalpakstan has hardworking people, rich land. Now the winds of this region will benefit the economy. If we say that we are going to build large enterprises, our partners will first ask: “Do you have energy, roads, infrastructure?” Therefore, the construction of a wind farm with a capacity of 100 megawatts will be an additional support for the region’s economy, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

The only power plant in Karakalpakstan – Takhiatash thermal power plant – was built 65 years ago and could not meet the needs of the region. Therefore, the station was modernized for 680 million dollars, additional capacities of 560 megawatts were introduced.

Today, the construction of a new, environmentally friendly power plant begins. The project with an annual capacity of 360 million kilowatt-hours will be financed by foreign direct investment in the amount of $108 million.

When the project is launched, it will be possible to provide electricity to 110,000 households. This will save 106 million cubic meters of natural gas per year.

– We have set ourselves great goals for the socio-economic development of Karakalpakstan on the basis of the principle “In the name of the honor and dignity of man.”

In the next five years, it is planned to create 2.5 thousand new enterprises and almost double the volume of industrial production. Renewable energy sources are a powerful impetus for this. Our children and future generations will benefit from this,” the President said.

ACWA Power from Saudi Arabia has won an international tender with about 20 bidders, announced with the technical assistance of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The company offered the lowest tariff – 2.56 cents per 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity produced under a public-private partnership.

It is also important that thousands of Karakalpak young people will take part in the construction of the station. After the launch, 100 qualified engineering and technical workers will be provided with highly paid jobs.

The project provides for the installation of 25 windmills, the construction of a 20-kilometer power transmission line with a capacity of 220 kilowatts, which will be fully integrated into the country’s energy system.

The President emphasized the need to pay special attention to the localization of the components required for the project. For example, at the Takhiatosh Metal Construction plant, it is possible to set up the production of supporting structures, at the Nukus Elektr Apparat enterprise – transformers and electrical equipment, and at other enterprises – cables and dozens of other types of products.

It was noted that the potential of wind energy in Karakalpakstan is enormous.

– This project, launched in the Aral Sea region, declared the Zone of Ecological Innovations and Technologies, is the first step in the production of “green” energy. In the next five years, three wind farms with a capacity of about 1,800 megawatts will be put into operation in the region, the head of state said.

Then President Shavkat Mirziyoyev laid a capsule in the first stone of the station.

The ceremony was attended by ACWA Power CEO Muhammad Abdullah Abunayan, industry experts and members of the public.

The country is implementing many projects to increase electricity production. Last year, the first solar photovoltaic station was put into operation in the Karmaninsky district of the Navoi region. The construction of a similar station began in the Sherabad district of the Surkhandarya region.

In general, 10 solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 2,900 megawatts are being built at the expense of foreign investments in the amount of $3 billion.