Uzbekistan’s first utility-scale solar and battery storage facility, the Nur Bukhara PV and BESS project has been officially inaugurated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The project was developed by Abu Dhabi-based Masdar. It pairs a 250 MW solar PV array with a 63 MW/126 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The Nur Bukhara project also continues to advance Uzbekistan’s push for a modernized power grid and reduce emissions. This is alongside other renewable projects also taking shape in the country, like the 1 GW solar-storage build-out in Samarkand and Bukhara backed by Japanese and Saudi investors.
Project Overview
The Nur Bukhara solar and battery storage project will generate electricity for over 55,000 homes. It will also help avoid approximately 367,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually. This marks a great stride in Uzbekistan’s target of at least 25 GW of renewable capacity and 54 percent of electricity from clean energy by 2030.
Alongside Nur Bukhara, the inauguration event also saw the groundbreaking of the Guzar solar and BESS project. Guzar is a 300 MW PV, 75 MWh BESS that targets completion by 2027. Agreements for the country’s future largest standalone battery energy storage system, Zarafshan BESS project were also signed.
Project Factsheet for Nur Bukhara Solar and Battery Storage (BESS) Project in Uzbekistan
Developer: Masdar
Location: Bukhara region, Uzbekistan
Solar PV Capacity: 250 MW
Storage Capacity: 63 MW/126 MWh
Power Supply: 55,000 households
Annual CO2 Emissions Avoided: 367,000 tons
Offtaker: Uzbekistan National Electric Grid under long-term PPA agreement
Significance: Uzbekistan’s first utility-scale integrated solar and battery storage facility. To also serve as a model for future renewables incorporating storage in the region.
Timeline of Key Events
May 2024: Financing agreements signed between Masdar, the Government of Uzbekistan, and international financiers including International Finance Corporation (IFC), Asian Development Bank (ADB), FMO, and JICA to fund Nur Bukhara solar and BESS project. The agreement also establishes Nur Bukhara as Central Asia’s first renewable plus storage initiative.
2024 through 2025: Project structuring, engineering, procurement and grid-connection planning continues. Masdar also scales up commitments in Uzbekistan’s renewable sector.
December 2025: Nur Bukhara PV and BESS project inaugurated by President Mirziyoyev. Groundbreaking for Guzar solar and BESS project and agreements for Zarafshan BESS also done and made.
2027: Guzar solar and battery storage project expected to come online.
2028: First phase of 600 MWh Zarafshan BESS to start commercial operation.
