For much of its post-Soviet history, Uzbekistan’s energy system has been defined by natural gas. Its abundant domestic reserves provide a cheap and reliable source of electricity generation, export revenues, and industrial growth. However, this reliance has come at a cost, including vulnerability to fossil fuel volatility, carbon emissions inconsistent with global climate commitments, and an energy profile increasingly at odds with international investment trends.
Today, a new landscape is emerging in Uzbekistan’s energy sector. The vast steppes and desert plateaus of the Karakalpakstan and Navoi regions have emerged as some of the most promising areas for wind turbines and energy sector development. This transformation could redefine not only Uzbekistan’s energy security but also the regional energy map of Central Asia.
A Decade in the Making: From Pilot to Pioneer
This story begins in 2020, when the United Arab Emirates’ renewable energy developer Masdar signed an agreement to construct the Zarafshan Wind Farm in the Navoi region. Initially, this was not a pilot project, as its proposed capacity was about 500 MW, making it the largest wind project among the Central Asian countries at the time. Its symbolism pulsed with an energy no less powerful than the current itself. For Uzbekistan, which had no operating commercial wind capacity, the project marked a significant shift from concept to execution. The Zarafshan Wind Farm reached financial close in 2020, commenced construction in 2022, and was officially inaugurated in December 2024 by Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Developer reports describe it as one of the largest operational wind farms in Central Asia. It represented a step forward toward sustainability and a message of resolve for energy resilience. In a region where fossil fuels still dominate, Uzbekistan has positioned itself as a regional leader in large-scale wind energy production..
Scaling Beyond Zarafshan: Kungrad and Nukus
The breakthrough at the Zarafshan Wind Farm signaled the dawn of a larger journey. Subsequently, Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power, a giant in renewable energy, agreed to set up the Kungrad Wind IPP. This project includes a transformative complex of three 500 MW wind farms with a total capacity of 1.5 GW of power generation. According to project plans, it will also be accompanied by a 300 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) and roughly 1,450 kilometers of new transmission infrastructure. This single project surpasses Uzbekistan’s earlier renewable efforts and, when completed, will represent one of the most significant clean energy undertakings in the region.
Similarly, the Nukus II wind farm-plus-storage project, which secured financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other partners in mid-2025, seeks to expand renewable energy use, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen energy security. It includes building and operating a 200 MW wind power plant, a 100 MWh battery storage system, a 44 km transmission line, and an upgrade of the 220 kV Beruniy substation. This integration of renewables with flexible storage represents a new phase of Uzbekistan’s energy transition, one where renewables are not simply added to the grid but actively enhance its stability. Furthermore, the project aligns with Uzbekistan’s Country Partnership Strategy 2024–2028, which focuses on a green energy transition and private sector growth. It also supports ADB’s Energy Policy by promoting renewable energy, inclusive access, and efficiency through private participation.
Why BESS Storage Matters
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are often treated as an optional add-on in early renewable markets. The integration of battery storage is perhaps the most significant innovation in Uzbekistan’s wind rollout. In most emerging markets, wind projects are added to the grid without storage, creating operational challenges when supply and demand do not align. Uzbekistan, however, is embedding storage at scale from the outset in flagship projects like Kungrad and Nukus II. In an energy grid system that is still dominated by gas plants, battery systems allow wind power to be time shifted, absorbed when the wind blows strongest and dispatched during demand peaks, especially in the evenings when households rely on electricity the most. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels, conserves valuable hydrocarbons for export, and cuts emissions. The decision to link wind with BESS demonstrates strategic foresight. In a country where natural gas is both a domestic staple and a crucial source of foreign currency, Uzbekistan’s green shift is not symbolic but operationally resilient.
National Targets and Regional Leadership
Uzbekistan has declared ambitious targets for renewable energy. According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Energy Policy Review 2022, the country aims to install 8 GW of solar and wind capacity by 2026 and 12 GW by 2030, including 7 GW of solar and 5 GW of wind. Officials have also suggested that renewables could account for 25–40% of electricity generation by 2030. Large solar PV projects (100–500 MW) are planned mainly for the central and southern regions, while wind farms of similar scale will be concentrated in the northwestern region, which includes Jizzakh, Samarkand, Bukhara, Kashkadarya, and Surkhandarya.
In its 2021 updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, Uzbekistan raised its renewable target to 12 GW by 2030. These goals are not merely aspirational; they are supported by structural reforms, international financing, strategic partnerships, and active construction. Regionally, Uzbekistan is positioning itself as the first Central Asian country to scale wind energy production to the gigawatt level. This strategic vision is not only environmental but also reflects several key national priorities:
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Energy security: Reducing domestic reliance on gas and ensuring a stable electricity supply.
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Export diversification: Conserving valuable hydrocarbons while attracting green investment.
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Public-private partnerships (PPP): Encouraging other Central Asian states to meet energy demand through foreign direct and clean energy investment.
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Geostrategic alignment: Strengthening the nation’s position within regional and global power dynamics.
Challenges at the Crossroads
However, this energy shift cannot be described as a harmonious process. It is marked by structural, institutional, and technological constraints that challenge both policy coherence and the state’s ability to implement reforms effectively, complicating the overall transition. Critical and formidable challenges continue to impede progress, including:
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Grid absorption: Uzbekistan must modernize its transmission infrastructure to efficiently integrate renewable energy generated in remote regions such as Karakalpakstan and Navoi. Delays in this effort could jeopardize project performance and undermine investor confidence.
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Environmental protection: The expansion of large-scale wind facilities must be balanced with ecological management. Particular attention is required to protect migratory bird routes and fragile desert ecosystems, in line with international environmental compliance standards.
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Supply chain and institutional readiness: As global competition for turbines, rare earth materials, and storage technologies intensifies, Uzbekistan must improve its procurement systems, logistics networks, and regulatory frameworks. Strategic partnerships, local capacity building, and stronger inter-agency coordination are essential to contain costs, prevent delays, and ensure transparent and efficient project execution.
Winds of Sustainability and Resilience
The significance of Uzbekistan’s wind transition extends beyond megawatts. The winds blowing across Karakalpakstan and Navoi are not just natural forces; they represent the currents of change. Every megawatt of wind generation conserves valuable hydrocarbons for export, a key revenue source, while reducing domestic emissions and generating foreign exchange. In addition, the reduction of emissions strengthens Uzbekistan’s position in international climate commitments and its diplomatic standing in global climate forums. The rapid expansion of renewable energy will also contribute to clean energy expertise that can be shared across the region. Over time, Uzbekistan will be capable of exporting electricity, knowledge, and policy leadership across Central Asia. Economically, the green transition is stimulating new supply chains, generating employment in construction and maintenance, and fostering technology transfer through global partnerships. Socially, it shows that Uzbekistan is moving beyond its carbon-intensive past and advancing toward a sustainable, innovation-driven future shaped in the desert steppe.
Therefore, Uzbekistan’s wind journey is about more than turbines and megawatts. It reflects a clear national vision and strategic direction. It began with Masdar’s first agreements in 2020, advanced through the landmark Zarafshan project in 2024, and continues with major developments such as ACWA Power’s 1.5 GW Kungrad and the ADB-supported Nukus II hybrid projects in 2025. Although challenges persist in grid infrastructure, environmental protection, and financial systems, the country’s progress toward a cleaner energy future remains steady and determined. Uzbekistan’s evolving renewable energy model has the potential to achieve its 2030 targets and establish itself as a regional blueprint for sustainable energy transformation while contributing to economic growth, environmental management, and resilience.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the publication, its affiliates, Samarkand State University, or any other organizations mentioned.
