Baku, Azerbaijan, June 29
By Elena Kosolapova – Trend:
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will consider Uzbekistan’s opportunities in the renewable energy sphere, Svitlana Pyrkalo, Principal media adviser of the EBRD Communications Department, told Trend, commenting on a new program on hydro energy development adopted by the country in early June.
Pyrkalo, who is responsible for the Central Asia region, said that the EBRD is in the process of developing a country strategy for Uzbekistan.
“We are a leader in renewable energy in the region and expect to consider the needs and opportunities in this sector in Uzbekistan as well,” she said.
In early June Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev approved a new program on development of hydro energy. The program envisages construction of 18 new and modernization of 14 existing hydropower plants by 2021. These projects will have a total cost of $2.65 billion and allow increasing the share of hydro energy in the country's energy balance to 15.8 percent compared to current 12.7 percent.
Since Uzbekistan’s joining to the EBRD in 1992, the bank has invested €894 million in the country. Its current portfolio in Uzbekistan hits €8 million.