Despite “breakthrough” renewables growth across Southeast and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia in recent years, more needs to be done to boost deployment and reduce the region’s reliance on Russian energy imports.
Abu Dhabi-based renewables company Masdar has set up a new joint venture (JV) that will focus on developing renewable energy projects across Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Africa.
Masdar, EDP, Engie, Ib Vogt, JinkoSolar, Lightsource BP and Scatec Solar among dozens of firms submitting EOI for Sherabad project, the first of ADB-backed 1GW series.
Project destined to provide power to National Electric Networks of Uzbekistan is first in a 1GW solar programme being developed by the government and the Asian Development Bank.
Industry association GÜNDER tells PV Tech it expects mix of large-scale tenders and net metering support for smaller systems will drive annual gigawatt-scale growth starting this year.
Government contract win is the latest in the Caucasus region for UAE player, who was chosen last month by neighbour Armenia to start up solar ecosystem with 400MW push.
Middle Eastern clean energy player will assist with US$300-320m roadmap to deliver large-scale PV pipeline in Caucasus state, which only boasts 50MW up-and-running despite high irradiation.
