OREANDA-NEWS. December 04, 2013. Participants of the 6th session of the Asian solar energy forum “Trends and Prospects of Solar Energy Technologies” traveled to Samarkand region and took part in the presentation of the project of solar photoelectric station there.

Wide-scale and steadfast efforts have been underway in Uzbekistan to further the introduction and promotion of alternative sources of energy. An important significance in these endeavors has been played by the Decree of President Islam Karimov “On Measures to Boost Alternative Sources of Energy” signed 1 March 2013 that defines tasks in furthering the development of scientific potential in the sphere of alternative power industry, in training relevant qualified specialists, perfecting the legislation, stimulating the manufacturers and consumers of alternative sources of energy, providing them with tax and customs privileges, elaborating a bill on the alternative sources of energy. In particular, the Decree approves the realization of project in the construction of a solar photoelectric station in Samarkand region.

The construction of a solar photoelectric station with a capacity of 100 megawatt has come to be one of the mutually advantageous schemes spearheaded between Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank. Currently, the feasibility study of the station is carried out by the Uztyazhneftegazkhimproekt Institute of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the order of the Uzbekenergo state stock company. The project implementation is to be funded by a soft loan from the Asian Development Bank and the means of the Reconstruction and Development Fund of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

With the purpose of building a solar photoelectric station, a land of 400 hectares has been allocated in Samarkand region. The participants of the current forum took part in the presentation of the project and familiarized with the mockup model of the station.

“Uzbekistan has been making remarkable accomplishments in the development of alternative energy,” Paul Hattle, official of the Asian Development Bank, suggests. “It is noteworthy that these efforts are very important for the sustainable development of the country. In particular, the support for private entrepreneurs who introduce cutting-edge technologies in alternative energy deserves comprehensive study. We have taken part in the presentation of the project of construction of a solar photoelectric station in Samarkand region. The creation of such a facility with a capacity of 100 megawatt will become another wonderful achievement made by Uzbekistan in the promotion of solar power industry.”

The construction of a solar photoelectric station in Samarkand province is to provide the region with more than 150 billion kilowatt hours of electric power a year. Thus, 40 million cubic meters of natural gas will be saved every year, while the annual emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere will diminish by more than 200 thousand tons. The solar photoelectric station will provide 50 people with job.

“Our institute deals with issues in sustainable development in rural areas and closely cooperates with a number of relevant scientific research institutions and higher education institutions in Uzbekistan,” says the representative of Brandenburg Institute (Federal Republic of Germany) Klose Edgar. “Notably, together with our Uzbek colleagues we work out new technologies in the area of renewable sources of energy. Our interaction pursues the goal of developing new technologies in the sphere of solar power industry with an eye to their further spread to other countries. It is worth noting that it is helped by the immense attention paid in your country to the promotion of this sphere, a bright manifestation of which is the project of the construction of a solar photoelectric station in Samarkand region.”

The participants of the international conference went on Samarkand sightseeing, including the Registan Square and the maddrassahs located in it: the Mirzo Ulughbek, Tillakori and Sherdor, as well as the Afrosiyob Museum and the Ulughbek Observatory. The guests were introduced to the enormous creative works undertaken in the city during independence years.

“The visit to Samarkand has left an unforgettable impression on me,” shares Michael Kua Chen-Guang (Singapore), chief executive officer of the International Association of Methanol Producers. “Uzbekistan has from time immemorial been considered one of the most critical centers of science and culture in the world. Reviewing the Ulughbek Observatory, admiring the magnificent beauty of the Registan Square and the amazing architecture of the maddrassahs, I came to be convinced that the centuries-old scientific and cultural traditions of the Uzbek people facilitate the huge potential in the development of science in the present and future.”

The forum participants were particularly attracted to the facilities of modern housing construction erected in the Pulatdarkhon mahalla of Akdarya district.
“I am fascinated by these modern houses in the countryside,” Cheng Li, PhD student of Cambridge University, shares his impressions. “Many countries across the world have but endured the migration of youth from the country to urban areas. President Islam Karimov’s thoroughly thought-out program of modern housing construction will undoubtedly motivate young people to live and work in native villages, for the latter are not inferior to towns in anything.”