By: Utilities Middle east

Masdar has signed a major agreement with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy and JSC Uzenergosotish to develop up to 575MW of battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity across the country, following an initial deal reached in December 2023.

According to the news report by GlobalData, the agreement was formalised during the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) by Masdar chief executive officer Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi and JSC Uzenergosotish board chair Jahongir Obidjonov. The signing was witnessed by UAE Minister of Energy Suhail Al Mazrouei and Uzbekistan Minister of Energy Jurabek Mirzamahmudov.

Al Mazrouei said: “The UAE is proud to see its global clean energy leader, Masdar, supporting our partners around the world in accelerating their energy transformations. The Zarafshan Battery Energy Storage System will play a vital role in strengthening Uzbekistan’s grid resilience and expanding renewable energy integration, an ambition that aligns with the UAE’s own vision for a sustainable and diversified energy future. This collaboration is a testament to the strong ties between our nations and our shared commitment to advancing practical, scalable solutions for global energy security and decarbonisation.”

The first phase of the Zarafshan BESS will deliver 300MW of storage capacity — enough to power approximately 1.3 million households for two hours — and will connect to the Murunau substation. A second phase is planned to add another 300MW facility.

Once operational in the third quarter of 2028, the Zarafshan BESS will support Uzbekistan’s goal of generating 54% of its power from renewables by 2030 and contribute to its broader net-zero ambitions.

Al Ramahi said: “The Zarafshan Battery Energy Storage System is a significant milestone for Uzbekistan’s energy transformation, and another demonstration of Masdar’s leadership in global battery storage projects. This project builds on more than two decades of experience developing and operating large-scale renewable and storage assets, and we look forward to driving its successful delivery and contributing to Uzbekistan’s sustainable economic growth.”

Masdar continues to advance large-scale energy storage innovation globally. In October, the company began work on the world’s first gigascale 24/7 solar and battery storage project in Abu Dhabi — a 5.2GW solar plant integrated with a 19GWh BESS capable of delivering 1GW of baseload renewable power.