Voltalia Begins Power Generation at Solar Plant in Khorezm

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — International renewable energy company Voltalia has announced the first megawatt-hours of electricity produced at its 126 MW solar power plant in the Sarimay district of Khorezm region, Uzbekistan. Construction of the plant, which began in May 2024, is now entering its final stage.

The project, awarded through a public tender in December 2022, is backed by a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) and occupies 180 hectares. It features over 180,000 bifacial solar panels, more than 350 inverters, and a three-kilometer transmission line. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to generate approximately 252 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually — enough to power 60,000 residents — while reducing over 140,000 tons of CO₂ emissions per year.

The project is financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) with support from the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus. Voltalia manages the entire project lifecycle, from development and construction to ongoing operation and maintenance.

The Sarimay project incorporates environmental initiatives, including the planting of 2.65 million Haloxylon persicum shrubs on the site, along with social programs for local schools and workforce development. At the peak of construction, around 776 workers were employed, 85% of whom were local residents, with strict adherence to health, safety, and environmental (HSE) standards.

Building on the success of Sarimay, Voltalia is developing a second large-scale project, the Artemisya complex, covering 500 hectares. Its first phase will include 100 MW of wind generation and an energy storage system with a capacity of 100 MW / 200 MWh. Construction is scheduled for 2026, with commissioning expected by the end of 2027. The Artemisya complex will generate approximately 383 gigawatt-hours of electricity per year, further enhancing Uzbekistan’s renewable energy capacity.

Voltalia CEO Robert Klein commented, “The first megawatt-hours from Sarimay mark an important milestone for Voltalia in Central Asia. The successful execution of the project demonstrates our ability to deliver large-scale renewable solutions that benefit both the environment and local communities. We will continue this progress with the Artemisya project, further strengthening Uzbekistan’s renewable energy potential and supporting the country’s energy transition goals toward 2030.”