The Ministry of Energy in Uzbekistan has revealed financial proposals it received for the 200 MW Sherabad Solar Project it wants to develop in the Sherabad district of Surkhandarya region. Final winner will be announced after evaluation of financial proposals received who will also build a new 200 kV substation and a 52 km transmission line to connect the solar project to the 500 kV Surkhan substation.
Masdar has emerged as the bidder with the lowest bid (L1), offering to build 457 MW capacity for $0.018045 per kWh.
A consortium led by China's Jinko Power (HK) Co., Ltd., and China Power Holding International have offered to build 500 MW PV capacity for $0.021621 per kWh. ACWA Power of Saudi Arabia has quoted $0.024825 per kWh to build 354 MW capacity, while French consortium of Total Eren and Total Solar International want to develop 400 MW capacity for $0.033940 per kWh.
These 5 companies were chosen out of 11 bidders shortlisted from 54 companies that expressed interest in developing the 200 MW capacity (see 5 Bidders Submit Proposals For 200 MW Uzbek Solar Project).
According to the ministry, the 200 MW project is part of a 1 GW solar power capacity development initiative being implemented by it and the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, with the support of Asian Development Bank (ADB). This, in turn, is part of the country's plans to generate up to 5 GW of solar power generation capacity by 2030 (see Uzbekistan Confirms 5 GW Solar Target By 2030).
In April 2021, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman of Saudi Arabia claimed a 600 MW PV project in Saudi Arabia to have attracted a record low bid of $0.0104 per kWh (see World Record Low Solar Bid Of $0.0104/kWh In Saudi Arabia).
In a related development, the Uzbek Energy Ministry signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a French company called Assystem Engineering and Operation Services on May 10, 2021. The French company says it supports its clients in the design, construction supervision, commissioning and operation of industrial infrastructures.
Assystem explained, "Assystem's energy specialists will lead on plans for increased installed capacity of solar and wind power and in the exploration of hydrogen production. The scope also includes investigating energy storage systems, that will be conducive to the efficiency of the country's renewable power plants."