Central Asia to achieve 4 GW of solar portfolio by 2020

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In coming five years, Central Asian countries will be leading players in global solar energy industry.

Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Iran will be prominent countries that will achieve higher amount of solar energy production.

Iran will emerge as a major player with a plan to build 3000 MW of solar power by 2018.

In 2014, Iran passed laws and incentives to encourage domestic and foreign investment in renewable energy projects.

The country sees future in solar, spending $60 million this year on solar projects compared to just $12 million last year focusing on rural communities especially.

Photo credit acegroup
Photo credit acegroup

Azerbaijan has developed a strategy of installing around 600 MW by 2020.

Offering 2,400-3,200 hours of sunshine per year, Azerbaijan has also good potential for solar electricity and heat generation.

Kazakhstan has kept a target of completing many projects by 2018 including PV plant development with a capacity of 200 MW.

Kazakhstan is a promising market for solar PV energy investments. With the introduction of support mechanisms in the law in 2009, Kazakhstan PV market is expected to record further growth.

In August 2013, the country introduced a new feed-in tariff law to provide support to renewable energy producers at a cost of KZT1,100 bn (€ 5.3bn).

Uzbekistan will implement a program to install similar capacity, but to be achieved by 2019.

In 2013, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided a $110 million loan for a 100-megawatt solar power plant in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

The government is aiming to produce about 21 percent of its energy needs from renewable sources, including solar, by 2031.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Switzerland will offer funds for wastewater system modernization in Khujand city, Tajikistan.

They will grant $3.5m loan from EBRD along with $5.35m from SECO to water and wastewater utility Khujand Water Company.

Sabeena Wahid
editor@greentechlead.com

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