QAZAQ GREEN.  Masdar, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC, has signed an agreement with Uzbekistan’s state-owned JSC Uzenergosotish to develop the country’s largest standalone battery energy storage system (BESS), according to Masdar.

The Zarafshan BESS marks the first stage of a national energy storage program launched after Masdar’s 2023 agreement with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade to install up to 575 MW / 1.15 GWh of capacity nationwide.

The first phase of the Zarafshan project will provide 300 MW / 600 MWh of storage—enough to power about 1.3 million homes for two hours—and will connect to the Murunau Substation. A second 300 MW / 600 MWh phase will later expand the facility.

Scheduled for commissioning in the third quarter of 2028, the Zarafshan BESS will enhance the reliability and flexibility of Uzbekistan’s power grid, supporting the national target to generate 54 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

The agreement was signed at ADIPEC by Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi and Uzenergosotish Chairman Jahongir Obidjonov.

According to Uzbekistan’s Minister of Energy Jurabek Mirzamahmudov, the partnership reflects the strong relations between Uzbekistan and the UAE and contributes to large-scale renewable energy development. Masdar and Uzbekistan are already cooperating on several solar and wind projects totaling more than 1.8 GW, including a 63 MW energy storage system and a new 300 MW solar plant now under construction.

Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi said the project represents an important milestone in Uzbekistan’s energy transition and reinforces Masdar’s role as a global leader in renewable energy and storage.

Uzenergosotish Chairman Jahongir Obidjonov noted that the initiative will significantly contribute to Uzbekistan’s green energy goals.

Masdar’s portfolio in Uzbekistan currently includes around 2 GW of clean energy capacity worth more than $2 billion. The company plans to add another 2 GW of capacity and extend the Zarafshan BESS by an additional 300 MW / 600 MWh. These efforts support Uzbekistan’s goal to reach 20 GW of renewable energy and Masdar’s ambition to achieve 100 GW globally by 2030.

Masdar is also developing large-scale storage projects worldwide, including the world’s first gigascale 24/7 solar and battery system in Abu Dhabi – a 5.2 GW solar plant integrated with a 19 GWh BESS delivering 1 GW of baseload renewable power.