BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 19. Masdar is currently in talks with Uzbekistan regarding a pumped storage hydro project, while technical assessment is underway, Maryam Al Mazrouei, Head of Development and Investment (CIS) at Masdar, told Trend.
"Regarding pumped storage hydro, it helps stabilize the grid more effectively than battery storage, which has lower capacity and coverage time. Pumped storage allows for building larger capacities and offers better control over grid stability. We are in direct discussions with Uzbek Hydro Energy and are currently conducting a technical assessment. Once we have clarity, we will proceed with the implementation of the project," she said.
According to Al Mazrouei, Masdar's current portfolio in Uzbekistan includes 2 GW of operational and under-construction projects.
"Additionally, we have a committed pipeline of 2 GW of onshore wind under development and a 1.5 gigawatt-hour battery storage system. Aside from the 2 GW nearing completion and operational status, we are also expanding our footprint and developing more projects in Uzbekistan," the company rep added.
Maryam Al Mazrouei pointed out that Masdar's largest portfolio in the region is now in Uzbekistan, while Azerbaijan comes second.
Despite an extensive portfolio of clean energy projects (Masdar's solar and wind power developments with a total capacity of 1.4 GW were introduced into Uzbekistan's energy system in December 2023), this agreement signed in March 2024 represents the company's first entry into Uzbekistan's pumped storage hydro sector.
In addition, Masdar's total investment in Uzbekistan has reached $4 billion, with 1.4 GW of green energy from its projects now part of Uzbekistan's national power grid.
