The Nur Bukhara project is a 250 MW solar PV and 63 MW/126 MWh battery energy storage facility in the Bukhara region of Uzbekistan, developed by Abu Dhabi-based Masdar and inaugurated in December 2025 as the country’s first utility-scale integrated solar and storage plant. Following inauguration, Chinese electrical equipment manufacturer CHINT confirmed in April 2026 the delivery of a complete integrated medium-voltage skid solution for the plant, noting that the Bukhara environment presented significant engineering demands including large temperature swings and frequent dust storms that required durable, purpose-built electrical systems to maintain reliable output.
Guzar Financial Close Signals Masdar Is Accelerating Its Uzbekistan Build-Out
Months after Nur Bukhara’s inauguration, the project’s sister development took a major financing step forward. In January 2026, Masdar achieved financial close on the Guzar solar and BESS project during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, securing a package worth more than $225 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Asian Development Bank, and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. The Guzar plant, a 300 MW solar and 75 MWh BESS facility in the Kashkadarya Region, targets commercial operations in 2027 and will add 634 GWh of annual clean generation to Uzbekistan’s grid, consolidating Masdar’s position as the country’s leading private clean energy developer with over 2 GW of deployed or committed capacity.
Project Overview
- Project Name: Nur Bukhara Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
- Location: Alat District, Bukhara Region, Uzbekistan
- Developer / Owner: Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC) via Nur Bukhara Solar PV LLC FE
- Total Cost / Value: Not disclosed (financing package exceeds US$159 million from World Bank, IFC, ADB, FMO, and JICA)
- Scale / Capacity: 250 MW solar PV; 63 MW / 126 MWh BESS
- Construction Start: 2023 (following PPA and GSA signing in April 2023)
- Expected Completion: December 2025 (inaugurated)
- Funding / Financing: World Bank, IFC, Canada-IFC Blended Climate Finance Program, ADB, FMO (Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank), and JICA; 25-year PPA with National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan
- Current Status: Operational; MV electrical systems delivered and commissioned as of April 2026
- Key Milestone: First utility-scale integrated solar and battery storage project in Central Asia; CHINT MV skid solution delivered April 2026
Project Team
- Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC) — Developer, Owner, and Operator
- Nur Bukhara Solar PV LLC FE — Project Company (Masdar-owned)
- World Bank — Lead Financier (US$159 million package)
- International Finance Corporation (IFC) — Parallel Lender and Program Lead (IFC Scaling Solar Round 3)
- Asian Development Bank (ADB) — Financier (US$46.5 million including LAIPF funds)
- JICA — Financier (via ADB-mobilised package)
- FMO (Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank) — Parallel Lender
- CHINT — MV Skid Equipment Supplier
- JSC National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan — Offtaker (25-year PPA)
- Government of Uzbekistan — Government Support Agreement (GSA) Signatory and Regulatory Authority
Reported 9th December 2025: 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.
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.
About ADB
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region. Headquartered in Manila, Philippines, and led by President Masato Kanda, the bank supports its developing member countries through loans, grants, technical assistance and equity investments, and maintains field offices across the region. ADB is among the international financiers backing the Nur Bukhara solar and BESS project, alongside the IFC, FMO and JICA.
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