Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power Installs Largest Wind Turbine in Central Asia

The wind turbine generator (WTG) is the largest of its kind in Central Asia with a capacity of 6.5MW. SPA
The wind turbine generator (WTG) is the largest of its kind in Central Asia with a capacity of 6.5MW. SPA
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Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power Installs Largest Wind Turbine in Central Asia

The wind turbine generator (WTG) is the largest of its kind in Central Asia with a capacity of 6.5MW. SPA
The wind turbine generator (WTG) is the largest of its kind in Central Asia with a capacity of 6.5MW. SPA

ACWA Power, a Saudi-listed company and the world's largest private water desalination company, the first mover into green hydrogen, and a leader in energy transition, has successfully installed the first wind turbine for its 500MW Bash wind farm project, located in the Bukhara region of Uzbekistan.

The wind turbine generator (WTG) manufactured by Envision is the largest of its kind in Central Asia with a capacity of 6.5MW. The installation of the wind turbine and generator was carried out by engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC).

CEEC was awarded the EPC contract for each of the 500MW wind farms in Bash and Dzhankeldy on December 7.

Remarking on the announcement, ACWA Power’s Chief Portfolio Management Officer (CPMO) Kashif Rana, said: "The successful installation of the first turbine on the Bash wind farm is just one of the many milestones that we are excited to mark on this project. Most importantly, the steady progress takes us closer to supporting and contributing to Uzbekistan’s long-term ambitions to increase the share of renewables in their energy mix."

When complete in the first quarter of 2025, the Bash wind farm will include 79 wind turbine generators (WTG) and is expected to generate more than 1,650 GWh of electricity annually and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 750 tons per year.

ACWA Power has a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the JSC National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan for the project.

ACWA Power boasts an impressive portfolio of 10 projects in Uzbekistan, with a combined investment value of US$ 7.5 billion.

The company's continued investments and partnerships underline its dedication to the sustainable development of Uzbekistan's energy landscape, promoting economic growth, and advancing the country's renewable energy goals.



GASTAT: Saudi Economy Experienced Highest Quarterly Growth in 2 Years

The Saudi capital Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi capital Riyadh. SPA
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GASTAT: Saudi Economy Experienced Highest Quarterly Growth in 2 Years

The Saudi capital Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi capital Riyadh. SPA

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released on Sunday the GDP report and national accounts indicators for 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2024, showing a 1.3% growth in real GDP compared to the previous year, with non-oil and government activities increasing by 4.3% and 2.6%, respectively, while oil activities declined by 4.5%.
In terms of quarterly estimates, real GDP grew by 4.5% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the same quarter of the previous year. This growth was attributed to positive performance across all economic sectors.

Non-oil activities increased by 4.7%, oil activities grew by 3.4%, and government activities rose by 2.2% year-on-year.
The GASTAT report also noted that seasonally adjusted real GDP in the fourth quarter of 2024 grew by 0.5% compared to the third quarter of 2024.