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Masdar Enters Tajikistan Market with 500mW Clean Energy Vision

The collaboration aims to develop projects, including solar PV, wind and hydropower, as part of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Phase one targets a minimum total capacity of 500MW….reports Asian Lite News

MW Energy, a collaboration between Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar and W Solar Investment, has inked a deal with Tajikistan’s Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MOEWR). The agreement entails the exploration of a minimum of 500 megawatts (MW) of clean energy projects, encompassing both floating solar power and hydropower, in the water-rich and landlocked nation of Tajikistan.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed during the Dushanbe International Investment Forum. With an abundance of lakes, rivers and glaciers, Tajikistan relies on hydropower and has huge potential for growing other renewable energy sources.

The collaboration aims to develop projects, including solar PV, wind and hydropower, as part of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Phase one targets a minimum total capacity of 500MW.

The signing was witnessed by The UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, HE Suhail Al Mazrouei, and Minister of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, HE Daler Jum’a. Also present were HE Dr Mohamed Alariqi, Ambassador of the UAE to the Republic of Tajikistan, and HE Bahodur Sharifi Mahmudzoda, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to the UAE.

HE Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said: “The UAE is proud to be partnering with Tajikistan to explore cutting-edge renewable energy projects to help increase energy security and reduce carbon emissions.  As the UAE looks forward to hosting COP28 we will continue to work with nations to accelerate the path to a net-zero future.”

HE Daler Jum’a, Minister of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, said: “Tajikistan is committed to increasing its installed electricity generation capacity and growing its promising green energy sector.  Our land is blessed with many natural resources, and we look forward to working with partners to harness this potential and meet our energy and development goals. 

“A significant increase in generation is planned through the introduction of renewable energy. By 2030, the installed capacity of generating stations using solar and wind energy should be 700 MW; today, 450 MW of this is being developed by a feasibility study with the participation of international consulting companies with the financial support of international financial institutions. This is a relatively new direction for us, but nevertheless concrete work has already begun.”

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdar’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “As Masdar and W Solar mark our entrance into the Tajikistan market, this partnership demonstrates the impressive range of utility-scale renewable energy expertise we are able to bring to the table. We look forward to supporting the Republic of Tajikistan with its renewable energy goals and harnessing the abundant power of the nation’s sun, wind and water to generate clean energy and drive sustainable development.”

Mr Muhammad Zafar, CEO of W Solar, said: “Our collaboration with Masdar in Tajikistan is a testament to W Solar’s unwavering commitment to advancing renewable energy across the globe. This venture in Tajikistan is not just about energy generation, but about building resilience, empowering communities, and contributing to a greener planet.”

Central Asia is a key investment destination for Masdar. As one of the world’s largest renewable energy companies, it has developed several landmark projects including the region’s largest wind farm, the 500MW capacity Zarafshan plant in Uzbekistan. Masdar has also reached financial close on three Uzbek solar projects in Jizzakh, Samarkand and Sherabad, which have a combined capacity of around 900MW – making it the largest solar development program in Central Asia.

Masdar’s 100MW Nur Navoi Solar Power Project in Uzbekistan has been operational since 2021. Other key developments in the pipeline include the 250MW Nur Bukhara Solar Power Project with 63MW/126MWh battery energy storage system.

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Abu Dhabi Education UAE News

Masdar completes inaugural course in Rwanda

WiSER Pioneers is a year-long program, hosted annually since 2018, that offers women aged 25 to 35 access to bespoke educational workshops and global networking opportunities to inspire sustainability leadership…reports Asian Lite News

Masdar’s Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) platform today completed its first field-based course in Rwanda to teach young women in rural off-grid communities to harness the potential of clean energy solutions, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) 7 to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Launched in the Gatsibo district of Rwanda, the course, titled “Rural Energy Access: Designing and implementing inclusive community energy systems,” is the inaugural offering of WiSER Cares, a multidisciplinary initiative launched this year to engage WiSER Pioneers in on-the-ground learning experiences that promote sustainable community development. WiSER Pioneers is a year-long program, hosted annually since 2018, that offers women aged 25 to 35 access to bespoke educational workshops and global networking opportunities to inspire sustainability leadership.

Fourteen young women, including nine WiSER Pioneers and five Rwandan professionals, completed the six-day WiSER Cares course, comprised of a series of lectures and hands-on projects led by global experts in renewable energy and sustainable development, with a focus on four core disciplines: 1) energy systems technology and service models; 2) energy access business models and financing; 3) community inclusion, social change and human development; and 4) climate adaptation.

“We are proud to offer the WiSER Cares Rural Energy Access course as part of Masdar’s long-running effort to equip young women with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead their communities and the world in building a more sustainable future,” said Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Masdar’s Executive Director of Brand & Strategic Initiatives, and WiSER Program Director.

“Through a multidisciplinary approach that emphasizes development of practical skills, strong technical fundamentals and realistic business models, WiSER Cares aims to facilitate productive cultural exchange and inspire participants to work together to achieve SDG 7 by accelerating the clean energy transition in rural off-grid communities,” added Dr. Fawwaz.

Experts leading the course included Co-Executive Director of Energy Action Partners in Malaysia, Ayu Abdullah; Off-Grid Technical Advisor, Energy Action Partners in Rwanda, Ivan Asiimwe; Co-Founder and Team Leader of Love at Hands in Rwanda, Erica Matasi Gateka; and Co-Director of Energy Action Partners and CEO of ClearSky Power, Boston, Dr. Scott Kennedy.

The WiSER platform was officially launched by Masdar and the Zayed Sustainability Prize on the sidelines of the 70th United Nations General Assembly in September 2015 with the goal of inspiring women to play an active role in addressing global sustainability challenges.

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