On February 24, President Shavkat Mirziyiyev arrived at the Beruniy District of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
The construction of a wind farm is planned here in cooperation with the Saudi company ACWA Power. On this occasion, a ceremony of laying the first stone of this complex was held.
«Karakalpakstan has hardworking people and rich land. Now the winds of this region will also benefit the economy. If we say, we are going to build large enterprises, our partners will firstly ask: «Do you have energy, roads and infrastructure?». Therefore, the construction of a 100 MGW wind farm will be an additional support for the economy of the region», Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
The only power plant in Karakalpakstan –Takhiatash TPP was built 65 years ago and could not meet the needs of the region. Therefore, the plant was modernized at a cost of $680 million and additional capacity of 560 MGW was introduced.
Today, the construction of a new, environmentally friendly power plant begins. The project with an annual capacity of 360 million KWH will be financed by $108 million in foreign direct investment.
When the project is launched, it will be possible to supply 110,000 households with electricity. This will save 106 million cubic meters of natural gas per year.
«We have set great goals for the socio-economic development of Karakalpalstan based on the principle «In the name of human honor and dignity».
In the next five years it is envisioned to create 2500 new enterprises and almost double the volume of industrial production. The renewable sources of energy will be a powerful impetus to this. Our children and future generation will benefit from this», the President said.
The ACWA Power of Saudi Arabia won an international bid 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 KWH of electricity produced as a part of the 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 involves the installation of 25 winds turbines, the construction of a 20-kilometer power transmission line with a capacity of 220 KW, which will be fully integrated into the country’s energy system.
The President has emphasized the need to pay a special attention to the localization of components needed for the project. For example, the “Takhiatosh Metal Construction” plant can produce support structures, the “Nukus Electric Apparatus” plant – the transformers and electrical equipment, and other plants – the cables and dozens of types of products.
It was noted that the potential of wind energy in Karakalpakstan is enormous.
«This project, launched in the Aral Sea region, which has been declared a zone of environmental innovation and technology, is the first step in the next production of “green” energy. In the next five years, three wind farms with a capacity of about 1800 MGW will be put into operation in the region», the President has said.
Afterwards, Shavkat Mirziyoyev laid a capsule in the first stone of the plant.
The General-Director of the ACWA Power Muhammad Abdullah Abunayan, the industry experts and members of the public delivered a speech at the ceremony.
Many projects are being implemented in the country to increase power generation. Last year, the first solar photovoltaic station was put into operation at the Karmana District of the Navoiy Region. The construction of a similar plant has started at the Sherabad District of Surkhandarya Region.
In general, 10 solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 2900 MGW are being built owing to foreign investments for $3 billion.