ACWA Power and Larsen & Toubro to Invest US$1.7 Billion in Two Solar Power Plants in Samarkand Region

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Saudi company ACWA Power, together with Indian firm Larsen & Toubro, announced the start of construction for two solar power plants in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region, with a total investment of US$1.7 billion.

The project involves building two solar plants with a combined capacity of 1,000 megawatts and an energy storage system exceeding 1,300 megawatt-hours. The facilities will be located in the Nurabad district, and two transmission lines over 350 kilometers long will be constructed to integrate the plants into the national grid, connecting Samarkand and Tashkent regions.

For the first time in Uzbekistan, double-circuit 500 kV pylons will be used. The total localization of the project is estimated at around US$300 million, with over 70% of cables sourced from domestic manufacturers.

More than 30 Uzbek enterprises and over 40 subcontractors are involved in the project. During construction, up to 3,000 jobs will be created, with over 70% filled by local specialists. The project’s implementation period is expected to be 2.5 years.

Once operational, the plants will supply electricity to hundreds of thousands of households, reduce harmful emissions, and support Uzbekistan’s goal of increasing the share of “green” energy to 50% by 2030.