Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The Tashkent International Investment Forum is ongoing. On the second day of the forum, a panel session was held on the topic “‘Green’ Development Model of New Uzbekistan: The Role of Renewable Energy in Addressing Environmental Challenges." During this session, participants explored how renewable energy can contribute to addressing global and regional environmental challenges.
The event was moderated by Igor Alekseev, managing partner of BCG. It was emphasized that New Uzbekistan aims to implement a “green” development model based on efficient use of resources, ensuring environmental sustainability, and targeting economic growth. The country is open to foreign investments and partnerships for the implementation of innovative solutions.

Session speakers:

- Wu Gang, Chairman of the Board of Goldwind

- Hussein Al-Nowais, Chairman of the Board of AMEA Power

- Yves Barlier, Vice President of EDF Renewables for Central Asia

- Abid Malik, President of ACWA Power for Central Asia

- Rafael Barreau, Chief Investment Officer of Masdar

During the event, it was emphasized that the demand for renewable energy sources will continue to grow in the near future. It was noted that to meet this demand, it is necessary to drastically improve infrastructure and increase the number of qualified personnel.

By 2035, the energy sector of Uzbekistan will require approximately 50,000 engineers, technicians, operators, and digital IT specialists. Experts discussed the challenges of creating such a large workforce of skilled professionals within this short timeframe.

At the beginning of his speech, the President of ACWA Power for Central Asia, Abid Malik, thanked the organizers of the forum and congratulated Uzbekistan on its participation in the FIFA World Cup.

"We are one of the largest, if not the largest, producers of desalinated water in the world. This month, we will launch the first green hydrogen project in Uzbekistan. We believe this will take the country to a different level in the green hydrogen world," he continued.

Mr. Abid Malik noted that, in addition to ACWA Power, such world-renowned companies as AMEA Power, Masdar, and EDF Renewables are investing in renewable energy projects in Uzbekistan.

"The biggest question is: why are they doing this? Why specifically Uzbekistan? Other countries in the world also want to implement similar energy projects, but they are unable to do so. In my opinion, the main reason for these investments is the reforms being implemented under the leadership of His Excellency President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. It's easy to attract investment with words, but many problems can arise during the investment implementation phase. The government, unlike some countries, is always ready to address these problems. I think this confidence is the main reason why all investors are gathering here," says Abid Malik.

Another prominent participant, Hussein Al-Nowais, Chairman of the Board of AMEA Power, emphasized that Uzbekistan has a very clear framework of stability and legislation that investors need.

"The legislative framework is very important for investors. This strengthens trust, making the investor's work easier. The legal framework in Uzbekistan is very convenient, and we are happy about this," said the Chairman of the Board of AMEA Power.

Moreover, the experts discussed key challenges and potential solutions in the renewable energy sector. The Vice President of EDF Renewables for Central Asia, Yves Barlier, explained the process of working with renewable energy sources.

Over the past five years, Uzbekistan has attracted almost 20 billion US dollars in foreign investment in the energy sector and launched modern energy facilities with a total capacity of 9.6 GW, including solar and wind power plants and energy storage systems. This is Uzbekistan's first step towards a sustainable future.