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.



Biden Pledges Record $4 bln US Contribution to World Bank Fund for Poorest Countries

The World Bank logo. (File/Asharq Al-Awsat Ar)
The World Bank logo. (File/Asharq Al-Awsat Ar)
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Biden Pledges Record $4 bln US Contribution to World Bank Fund for Poorest Countries

The World Bank logo. (File/Asharq Al-Awsat Ar)
The World Bank logo. (File/Asharq Al-Awsat Ar)

US President Joe Biden has pledged a $4 billion US contribution to the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) fund for the world's poorest countries, two sources with knowledge of the commitment said on Monday, Reuters reported.

Biden announced the US pledge during a closed session during the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The amount is a record and substantially exceeds the $3.5 billion that Washington committed in the previous IDA replenishment round in December 2021.