Saudi energy company ACWA has begun construction of the 1.5 GW Kungrad Wind Power Plant in Karakalpakstan. The facility, set to become the largest wind energy project in the CIS, will help raise clean energy"s share of the region"s power mix to 76% and save 2.1 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually.
Construction of the Kungrad Wind Power Plant has officially begun in Karakalpakstan. Uzbekistan"s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the groundbreaking ceremony, which formed part of a broader programme to launch new energy infrastructure across the region.
Developed by ACWA, the project will become a cornerstone of the Saudi company"s expanding investment portfolio in Karakalpakstan. It also marks an important step in Uzbekistan"s long-term transition towards a more sustainable and resilient energy system.
The initiative extends far beyond the construction of wind turbines. It includes substantial transmission infrastructure designed to integrate the electricity generated by the plant into Uzbekistan"s national power grid.
Wind generation backed by battery storage
Alongside its 1.5 GW generation capacity, the Kungrad project will include a 300 MW battery energy storage system, or BESS. The system will store surplus electricity and release it when demand rises, helping to balance the grid and improve the reliability of renewable energy supplies.
Plans also provide for the construction of approximately 1,500 kilometres of high-voltage transmission lines and three 500 kV switching stations. Two existing substations will be upgraded as part of the grid connection programme.
Speaking about the transformation of Uzbekistan"s energy sector, President Mirziyoyev said the country"s rapid progress towards a 40% share of green energy had been made possible by the hard work and commitment of its people.
The Kungrad Wind Power Plant represents the next stage of that strategy.
ACWA"s regional portfolio approaches $4 billion
ACWA already operates the Nukus-1 and Nukus-2 wind farms in Karakalpakstan"s Beruniy and Karauzyak districts. Together, the facilities have an installed capacity of 300 MW and are supported by 100 MW of battery storage.
Across its operational, construction-stage and planned projects in Karakalpakstan, ACWA now has a portfolio of nearly 2.3 GW, representing an estimated investment of approximately $4 billion. The company"s regional projects include 650 MW of battery storage capacity and 1,441 kilometres of power transmission lines.
Once fully operational, the facilities are expected to generate 8.77 billion kWh of clean electricity each year. That would be enough to supply around 2.4 million households.
The projects are also projected to save 2.1 billion cubic metres of natural gas and prevent nearly five million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Four thousand jobs during peak construction
Abid Malik, President of ACWA Central Asia, said Karakalpakstan was becoming one of the company"s most strategically important investment destinations in Uzbekistan.
"Karakalpakstan is becoming one of ACWA"s most strategic investment destinations in Uzbekistan. Once all the assets currently under development are commissioned, the company"s portfolio in the region will more than double," he said.
According to Malik, ACWA"s impact in Karakalpakstan will extend well beyond electricity generation.
"At peak construction, the Kungrad Wind Power Plant will create around 4,000 jobs, while local content is expected to reach approximately $750 million. This will create substantial new opportunities for local specialists, businesses and suppliers involved in delivering the project," he added.
The company is also investing in workforce development. Seventy-eight students from Karakalpakstan are currently studying at Shirin College, where they are preparing to work at major energy facilities and pursue careers in Uzbekistan"s power sector.
Clean energy to reach 76% of the regional power mix
By 2030, Karakalpakstan aims to increase its total installed wind power capacity to 3.3 GW. This expansion is expected to bring the share of clean energy in the region"s electricity mix to 76%.
Uzbekistan"s energy transition is not limited to building wind and solar power plants. The broader strategy combines new generation capacity with battery storage, grid reinforcement, local supply-chain development and professional training.
Together, these measures are creating the conditions for sustained investment growth and positioning Karakalpakstan as one of Central Asia"s emerging centres of renewable energy.