Uzbekistan plans to commission 3300 MW of wind power capacity in Karakalpakstan by 2030

TASHKENT. Sept 21 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan plans to commission wind power plants with total capacity of 3300 MW in Karakalpakstan, in the country's northwest, by 2030, the Uzbek Energy Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry reported that this was discussed at a meeting on the socio-economic development of Karakalpakstan, held by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in the city of Nukus.

The meeting participants noted that 860 MW of new power generation capacity had been brought online in the region in recent years. Thanks to the construction of wind farms in the Beruni and Karauzak districts, the share of green energy has reached 23%. Electricity generation has quadrupled to 5.33 billion kWh, a figure nearly three times the annual demand of the local population and businesses.

"Karakalpakstan is set to become a key hub for green energy production. On September 18, the implementation of 47 new projects, including energy initiatives, totaling $7 billion was launched. Plans are in place to commission wind power plants with combined capacity of 3300 MW by 2030. This will raise the share of green energy to 76% and establish 400 MW of energy storage capacity," according to the statement.

In his address, Mirziyoyev highlighted Karakalpakstan's land and mineral resources, its solar and wind energy potential, and its vast pasturelands. Six projects worth $8 billion will be implemented within a special zone dedicated to artificial intelligence and data centers. Officials have been instructed to develop a five-year program by October 1 and to ensure a stable 1 GW power supply for investors.

According to government estimates, converting green energy into carbon credits could generate annual revenue of at least $50-$100 million for Karakalpakstan.

Officials have been instructed to implement a carbon credit mechanism in Karakalpakstan within one month and to hold talks with major importing nations, such as Japan, South Korea, the United States, Canada, the UK and Australia.

A task has also been set to launch a program for forestry carbon credits by the end of the year, covering 50,000 hectares in the Aral Sea region.