ACWA Power commissions 1.5 GW thermal power plant in Uzbekistan, starts building green hydrogen plant
TASHKENT. Nov 27 (Interfax) - President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Monday took part in the commissioning ceremonies of a combined cycle gas power plant with a capacity of 1,500 MW in the Syrdaryo region and the start of construction of a green hydrogen production facility in the Tashkent region, the presidential press service reported.
Both projects are being implemented jointly with Saudi ACWA Power. Saudi Arabia's Minister of Investment, Khalid al-Falih, also participated in the ceremonies.
Regarding the launch of the thermal power plant, Mirziyoyev noted that the project, whose total cost is $1.1 billion will cover the electricity needs of over 3 million households and hundreds of industrial enterprises.
As for the green hydrogen plant, the project foresees a first stage where 3,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year will be produced with subsequent processing into mineral fertilizers. There are also plans to commission a wind power plant with a capacity of 52 MW.
Mirziyoyev noted that, with ACWA Power's participation, 7.5 billion worth of energy projects are being implemented in Uzbekistan.
It was previously reported that in 2021, the Uzbek Ministry of Energy had signed agreements with ACWA Power and American Air Products on the development of hydrogen energy in the country. In August 2022, the parties entered into another agreement on the industrial production of green hydrogen. The complex will operate using an ammonia plant site in Chirchik. In addition, the company will organize environmentally friendly ammonia production, which, according to calculations, will save 600 mcm of gas annually and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.5 million tonnes.
On Monday Mirziyoyev also held a meeting with the Saudi delegation led by Investment Minister al-Falih, the presidential press service said.
"As part of the current visit of the Saudi delegation, agreements were signed on the implementation of projects in the field of chemistry, energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, IT and infrastructure development worth $12 billion," the statement said.
The parties also reached an agreement to promote new projects and programs totaling $11 billion in the field of transport infrastructure and utilities, geology, irrigation, household waste processing, higher education, and labor migration, the press service said.