Post by : Badri Ariffin

Uzbekistan is set to strengthen its energy grid with the country’s largest standalone battery storage system, as Abu Dhabi’s Masdar partners with JSC Uzenergosotish. The Zarafshan Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) marks a major step in the nation’s transition to renewable energy.

The project’s first phase will deliver 300MW / 600MWh, enough to power roughly 1.3 million households for two hours. This phase will connect to the Murunau Substation, while a second phase of equal capacity is planned to expand the facility further. The project is scheduled to become operational by the third quarter of 2028.

The Zarafshan BESS is part of a broader national programme following Masdar’s December 2023 agreement with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade to develop up to 575MW / 1.15GWh of battery storage across the country. Once complete, these systems will enhance grid reliability, enable greater renewable energy integration, and support Uzbekistan’s goal of generating 54% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

Uzbekistan has seen a growing portfolio of renewable projects in recent years with Masdar. Five solar power plants totaling 1,247MW, one 500MW wind farm, and a 63MW energy storage system have already been commissioned. Additionally, a 300MW solar photovoltaic plant is under construction. The Zarafshan BESS will complement these installations and accelerate the integration of large-scale clean energy into the national grid.

Masdar’s footprint in Uzbekistan now spans roughly 2GW of clean energy, with investments exceeding $2 billion. With plans to develop over 2GW more and extend Zarafshan with another 300MW / 600MWh, the company is supporting Uzbekistan’s ambition to reach 20GW of renewables by 2030 while contributing to Masdar’s global target of 100GW.

The project also underscores a growing international collaboration in clean energy. It aligns with Uzbekistan’s strategy to boost renewable capacity and Masdar’s expanding expertise in global battery storage. The Zarafshan BESS will not only provide immediate grid flexibility but also lay the foundation for a sustainable energy future in Central Asia.

#Business News