In the wave of the accelerated reconstruction of the energy landscape in Central Asia, Chinese-funded enterprises have once again pinpointed key coordinates. Recently, a powerful consortium composed of International Power Co., Ltd. of China Electric Equipment Group and China Huadian Overseas Co., Ltd. has announced that it will invest in the construction of a 500-megawatt solar photovoltaic power station. This project is not only a milestone for the deep integration of Chinese capital and technology into the energy transformation of Uzbekistan, but also marks a new breakthrough in the green energy revolution in Central Asia.

Under the Protection of a Presidential Decree, Jizzakh Emerges as a New Highland for New Energy

The special executive order signed by the President of Uzbekistan has pressed the "fast-forward button" for this energy transformation. According to the plan in the presidential decree, a photovoltaic power station with a total installed capacity of 500 megawatts is about to break ground in the Frish District of Jizzakh Region, accompanied by the simultaneous construction of an overhead transmission network. The Uzbek government's conversion of 991.1 hectares of pasture land for industrial use provides a solid guarantee for the project's implementation, sending a strong signal to promote the development of renewable energy.

Huadian Jizzakh Solar Power Generation Company, responsible for the project's implementation, was jointly established by two Chinese-funded giants. As a leader in the general contracting of power engineering, International Power Co., Ltd. of China Electric Equipment Group has accumulated rich project experience along the Belt and Road. China Huadian Overseas Co., Ltd., on the other hand, has expanded its territory in the global new energy market with its mature overseas power station investment and operation system. The two sides have jointly invested 2.08 billion yuan, covering the entire chain of project design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance.

The Energy Transformation is Urgent, and Green Agreements are Intensively Implemented

For a long time, Uzbekistan has relied on natural gas for 80% of its electricity supply, and its single energy structure restricts the country's energy security and sustainable development. In 2024, President Mirziyoyev publicly urged the acceleration of the construction of renewable energy projects at the national energy conference, requiring the launch of 14 solar and wind energy projects within a few months. Under policy pressure, Uzbekistan signed a series of agreements intensively at the first Samarkand International Climate Forum in 2025. Among them, two major orders for 500-megawatt photovoltaic power stations were both awarded to Jizzakh Region. In addition to the project of the Chinese-funded consortium, the agreement reached with China's Liquip International also selected this region, highlighting the strategic position of Jizzakh Region as the core area for new energy development.

The green blueprint of the Uzbek government is even more ambitious: it plans to build 1,185 micro-hydropower stations by 2025, adding an installed capacity of 65 megawatts and fully promoting the construction of a small distributed energy network. Data shows that Uzbekistan's power production capacity has increased by 30% in the past five years, reaching 81.5 billion kilowatt-hours. This photovoltaic project will become a key increment in its energy structure transformation.

Chinese Enterprises Deepen Their Involvement in Central Asia and jointly Draw a New Green Chapter of the Belt and Road Initiative

For Chinese-funded enterprises, the energy transformation in Uzbekistan is both a challenge and an opportunity. The cooperation between China Electric Equipment Group and China Huadian Overseas precisely aligns with the Belt and Road Initiative and Uzbekistan's "green economy" strategy. The 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) signed by Uzenergosotish, the national power company of Uzbekistan, provides reassurance for the investors with the promise of long-term and stable cash flow, effectively reducing the commercial risks of the project.

With the advancement of this 500-megawatt photovoltaic power station, Chinese enterprises have once again set a benchmark in Central Asian energy cooperation. With a mature technical system, strong financial strength, and in-depth understanding of local policies and markets, Chinese-funded enterprises are becoming important partners in Uzbekistan's energy transformation. This cross-border green collaboration will not only reshape the energy landscape in Central Asia but also inject new impetus for sustainable development into the Belt and Road Initiative. (This article is from the official website of Seetao.com, www.seetao.com. It is prohibited to reprint without permission. Otherwise, legal liability will be pursued. If reprinting, please indicate Seetao.com + the original text link.) Strategic Column Editor of Seetao.com / Yin Shiqian