ACWA Power is advancing its 1.5 GW Kungrad wind project, located in the Karakalpakstan region of Uzbekistan. This development follows a presentation of the project to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his recent visit to the region, which marked the official commencement of construction for multiple significant initiatives.
Abid Malik, President of ACWA Central Asia, emphasized the company’s growing footprint in Uzbekistan and the crucial role of Karakalpakstan in the nation’s energy transition strategy. The Kungrad project entails an investment of approximately USD 2.6 billion and is now progressing into an active construction phase.
The project will include the installation of around 1,500 kilometers of high-voltage transmission lines, the construction of three new 500 kV substations, and the upgrades to two existing substations. Upon completion, the Kungrad project is projected to be the largest wind power facility within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Currently, ACWA Power operates or is constructing several projects in the Karakalpakstan region. The Nukus 1 and Nukus 2 projects are already producing electricity, while construction is ongoing at Kungrad. Collectively, these initiatives contribute approximately 2.3 GW of capacity within the region, supported by about USD 4 billion in investments, 650 MWh of battery storage, and an extensive network of over 1,500 kilometers of transmission infrastructure.
These projects are anticipated to generate roughly 8.77 billion kWh of clean electricity annually, sufficient to power around 2.4 million households. Additionally, they are projected to save about 2.1 billion cubic meters of natural gas and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 5 million tonnes each year.
The Kungrad project is also expected to stimulate local economic growth by creating significant employment opportunities. Construction efforts are projected to support around 4,000 local jobs at peak capacity, with approximately USD 750 million earmarked for local sourcing and business engagement in the supply chain.
Furthermore, ACWA Power is committed to workforce development in the region, currently supporting the education of 78 students from Karakalpakstan at Shirin College, aimed at preparing them for careers in Uzbekistan’s expanding energy sector.
The company’s expanding portfolio reflects Uzbekistan’s commitment to renewable energy generation, energy storage solutions, enhanced transmission infrastructure, local manufacturing, and the development of skilled human resources.