Masdar signs deal to set up 1GW of clean energy in Kyrgyzstan

Masdar has announced the signing of an agreement with the Ministry of Energy of Kyrgyz Republic to develop a pipeline of renewable projects in the country.

The projects, with a total capacity of up to 1 gigawatt (GW), start with a 200-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) plant.

The implementation agreement was signed by Ibraev Taalaibek Omukeevich, Minister of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic and Mohamed Jamel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar. The 200 MW plant is scheduled to begin operation by 2026.

Omukeevich said, “Today, the energy system of the Kyrgyz Republic faces challenges meeting the significant demand for electricity from all categories of consumers with our existing resources. At the same time, Kyrgyzstan has good solar energy potential.”

“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.”

Al Ramahi said, “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% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. While the country already generates around 90 per cent of its electricity from clean energy resources, this is almost exclusively from aging hydropower plants. The country’s high solar irradiation levels provide the opportunity to increase clean energy access and security.

The implementation agreement builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two sides in April last year, in which Masdar agreed to explore renewable energy opportunities in the Kyrgyz Republic in support of the country’s decarbonisation goals.

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.

Masdar recently announced a new shareholding structure and additional focus on green hydrogen, making it one of the largest clean energy companies of its kind.

With a goal of achieving 100 GW renewable energy capacity and green hydrogen production of 1 million tonnes per annum annually by 2030, the new Masdar is a clean energy powerhouse that will spearhead the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and drive the global energy transition.

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the global initiative championed by the UAE and its clean energy powerhouse Masdar to accelerate sustainable development, will hold its first annual Green Hydrogen Summit this year, highlighting green hydrogen’s growing importance in the global drive toward net zero.

The Green Hydrogen Summit 2023, taking place on Jan.18, will be one of the key events taking place at ADSW 2023, which will convene heads of state, policymakers, industry leaders, investors, youth, and entrepreneurs, for a series of impactful dialogues ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), to be held in the UAE from November 30-December 12. COP28, the Emirates Climate Conference, will see the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement - assessing the progress made by countries on their national climate plans.

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Chairman of Masdar, said, “We stand at a critical moment as nations prepare to gather in the UAE to highlight progress on meeting climate objectives and to explore pathways to net zero. Ahead of COP28, ADSW2023 will provide a platform for vital dialogue between key stakeholders and decision makers, as we look to forge alliances and develop innovative solutions to deliver an inclusive energy transition. The UAE and Masdar have long believed that green hydrogen will play a key role in that energy transition and as we continue to explore low-carbon and zero-carbon energy solutions, the time is right for green hydrogen to take a more central role at ADSW.”

The inaugural Green Hydrogen Summit at ADSW will cover topics including, developments in hydrogen production, conversion, transport, storage, and use. It will include high-level discussions focused on the development of the UAE hydrogen economy, the role of government and regulation, and panel sessions on a broad range of topics including innovation, sustainable finance, green energy in Africa, and hydrogen’s value chain.