Masdar to explore renewable energy opportunities in Kyrgyzstan

Mr. Bekmurzaev Doskul Djumagulovich and Mr. Abdulla Zayed Image
Mr. Bekmurzaev Doskul Djumagulovich, Minister of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic and Mr. Abdulla Zayed, Head of Development and Investment, Central Asia and Russia, at Masdar during the MoU signing ceremony.
By Rahul Vaimal, Associate Editor
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One of the world’s leading renewable energy companies, Masdar has decided to collaborate with Kyrgyz Republic’s Ministry of Energy to explore the development of renewable energy opportunities in the Central Asian nation and back Kyrgyzstan’s clean-energy objectives.

The Kyrgyz Republic’s Minister of Energy, Mr. Bekmurzaev Doskul Djumagulovich and Mr. Abdulla Zayed, Head of Development and Investment, Central Asia and Russia, at Masdar, formalized the association by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Kyrgyz Republic’s capital Bishkek.

Officials from Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic and Masdar Image
Officials from the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic and Masdar at the MoU signing event.

In line with the terms of the agreement, Masdar will explore the development of investment in a range of renewable energy projects, including ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV), floating solar PV and hydropower projects, with a potential capacity of up to 1 gigawatt (GW).

Abdulla Zayed
Head
Development & Investment
Central Asia & Russia
Masdar

“Masdar is ready to support Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to diversify its energy sources, cut greenhouse gas emissions and deliver carbon-free development by 2050. Kyrgyzstan has abundant potential to develop a wider range of clean energy resources, including solar and floating solar, which will deliver greater energy security and support better management of water resources.”

“Masdar has been a catalyst for energy transition in more than 40 countries around the world, and we look forward to leveraging our extensive experience in both ground-mounted PV and floating solar PV projects to drive sustainable development in Kyrgyzstan. We also welcome the opportunity to extend our presence in Central Asia, which we see as an area of strategic importance for us,” Mr. Zayed added.

Kyrgyzstan has set itself a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 44 percent by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

While the country already generates around 90 percent of its electricity from clean energy resources, this is almost exclusively from aging hydropower plants. By tapping the country’s high irradiation levels, Kyrgyzstan could enhance energy security while also managing its water resource levels, which are being diminished by climate change.

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