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UzAssystem to support development of renewable energy, smart grid and energy storage projects in the Kyrgyz Republic.

As part of its commitment to supporting the global energy transition, engineering and digital services company UzAssystem has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Energy Holding Company of Kyrgyzstan, recognising a mutual interest in implementing joint energy projects in the country.

Kyrgyzstan is aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 44 percent by 2030 and currently generates approximately 92% of its electricity through hydro power. UzAssystem will be bringing its expertise in energy systems to help the Republic bridge the remaining gap, which is currently fulfilled by other sources.

UzAssystem brings strong experience in developing low-carbon energy programmes in Central Asia through its activities in Uzbekistan, on solar power, wind power and grid projects, using advanced digital engineering techniques to build the country’s new energy infrastructure.

Under the terms of the agreement, which was signed at a ceremony at UzAssystem’s Tashkent headquarters in the presence of the Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan Deputy Energy Ministers, both parties will seek to cooperate in the following areas:

• Project management, engineering design and consultancy for renewable energy projects including wind, solar and hydro power
• Supporting the National Grid of Kyrgyzstan in the development of a digital twin and modelling the grid of the country
• Supporting the development of energy storage systems
• The digitalisation of energy systems including the development of a smart grid
• The modernisation of electrotechnical norms and standards and adaptation of international standards
• Supporting the energy sector of Kyrgyzstan in new uses of energy and driving a low-carbon energy transition

UzAssystem, established in 2019 with the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, is a subsidiary of Assystem Group, which is a major player in the global energy transition, with over 6,000 experts operating in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

UzAssystem Director Kerem Sadiklar said: “We are proud to be supporting Kyrgyzstan’s energy transition by bringing our well-established engineering and digital services capabilities to support the deployment of energy projects in the Republic. We look forward to working with the National Energy Holding Company to help develop a modern energy system fit for a low-carbon future.”

An academic partnership between engineering and digital services specialists UzAssystem and Tashkent State Technical University (TSTU), established in late 2021, has been expanded to include the Uzbekistan Ministry of Energy, in a move which will enhance collaboration to support the development of engineering talent in Uzbekistan.

Under a newly agreed Memorandum of Understanding, IT equipment and software will be provided to support the delivery of a dedicated masterclass in DIgSILENT grid simulation software, conducted by UzAssystem. The company will lead the development of the curriculum and educational content, and will provide international experts to teach the next generation of engineers.

Placements in the UzAssystem masterclass will be awarded to TSTU students who demonstrate digital engineering potential, as well as employees of sub-organisations of the Uzbekistan Ministry of Energy. TSTU students will also enjoy the opportunity to hone their skills via internships with UzAssystem.

This partnership forms part of UzAssystem’s ambition to equip the next generation of engineering talent in Uzbekistan. It will drive a growing skills pipeline to support the country’s low-carbon energy transition, delivering modern grid infrastructure underpinned by digital solutions which will cater to new energy generation capacity such as renewables and nuclear.

UzAssystem formed academic partnerships with two other institutions in early 2022, YEOJU Technical Institute, a leading private university which is well-known for its educational programmes in civil engineering and renewable energy, and PDP Academy, a learning centre specialising in software development and digital solutions.

Kerem Sadiklar, General Manager, UzAssystem said: “We are delighted that our partnership with Tashkent State Technical University has taken another step forward. With the support of the Ministry of Energy, UzAssystem and TSTU will ensure the development of engineering talent and the delivery of the energy infrastructure of tomorrow.”

As part of its commitment to supporting the development of the next generation of engineering talent in Uzbekistan, UzAssystem has signed two Memorandums of Understanding with leading academic institutions based in Tashkent.

The first is with YEOJU Technical Institute, a leading private university which is well-known for its educational programmes in civil engineering and renewable energy. The second is with the PDP Academy, a learning centre specialising in software development and digital solutions.

UzAssystem will work with these new partners to develop research projects and educational curricula, as well as establishing internship programmes which will offer vocational training opportunities to students with a view to developing a talent pool with the engineering and digital capabilities needed to support Uzbekistan’s major energy transition programme.

These new partnerships will complement UzAssystem’s ongoing work with Tashkent State Technical University, which features dedicated masterclasses, conducted by UzAssystem’s specialists, including in grid simulation software PowerFactory by DIGSILENT. Through the partnership, the university has also benefitted from lab and classroom refurbishment, including new technical equipment which is enhancing the student learning experience.

UzAssystem has been actively supporting Uzbekistan’s energy transition since 2019, and is involved in a range of projects that will deliver a cleaner, more secure energy system for the Republic, including modelling its national electricity grid, upgrading its electrotechnical standards and supporting the development of multiple low-carbon generation projects, including several wind farms.

Uzbekistan is targeting a 35% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, with plans to boost renewable energy generation capacity to meet at least 25% of electricity demand by the end of the decade, including targets for total deployment of 8.8GW of solar PV, 5GW of wind and 11.2GW of hydro energy.

Kerem Sadiklar, General Manager, UzAssystem said: “Uzbekistan needs a broad pool of individuals skilled in engineering and digital solutions who are capable of delivering the energy transition projects of the coming decades. We are pleased to be playing a role in equipping the next generation by working with our esteemed partner institutions.”

Having pledged at COP26 to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 35% before 2030, Uzbekistan is on a mission to boost its renewable energy generation capacity to meet 25% of the country’s electricity demand by the end of the decade. This includes targets for total deployment of at least 7GW of solar PV, 5GW of wind and 11.2GW of hydro energy.

With an abundance of vast uninhabited windswept plains available to host the latest generation of wind power technology, UzAssystem has been helping the Republic to harness this game-changing clean energy opportunity in several locations.

Recently, Uzassystem initiated a prefeasibility study for an extension to a 500MW wind farm in the Navoi region, with a view to growing the generation capacity by up to an additional 1 GW. UzAssystem is assessing options to connect both the existing and potential new generation assets to the grid, with a view to determining grid capacity and the most feasible connection options in the area.

UzAssystem has also been conducting geotechnical, topographical, and hydrological surveys for two 500MW wind farms in the Bukhara region. These vital site characterisation works will support the design of the assets by assessing potential issues such as seismic activity, thermal conductivity and flood risk prior to construction.

Additionally, UzAssystem has undertaken a grid impact study for another 600MW wind farm development in the Bukhara region. Owing to the variable nature of renewable generation assets, assessing the effect they may have when connected to the grid is essential to ensure existing infrastructure can adequately manage shifts in electrical loads and to highlight where maintenance or upgrades are required.

Moreover, UzAssystem provided local technical advice to support a developer of a 100MW pilot wind project in the Karatau region. The developer benefited from UzAssystem’s expertise in licensing and permitting, tender preparation and other technical and operational subjects such as subcontracting and supply-chain. UzAssystem has also been performing site characterisation studies this project, including geotechnical, topographical and hydrological surveys.

UzAssystem is committed to empowering the low-carbon energy transition in Uzbekistan. It is actively involved in a range of projects that will deliver a cleaner, more secure energy system for the Republic, including modelling its national electricity grid, upgrading its electrotechnical standards and supporting the development of multiple low-carbon generation projects.

Kerem Sadiklar, General Manager, UzAssystem said: “Wind power is set to play a significant role in the decarbonisation of Uzbekistan’s energy system, and investment in renewable energy assets is also driving vital upgrades to grid infrastructure across the country. UzAssystem is pleased to be supporting this transition by lending our expertise and keen local knowledge to developers of new generation assets.”

With ambitions to scale-up deployment of renewable energy technologies to 12GW by 2030, along with plans for 2.4GW of nuclear capacity, Uzbekistan is on a mission towards a low-carbon energy mix. Power system planners are looking to secure and sustain investment in new energy generation assets by aligning these targets with grid management needs.

Understanding what is connected to the electricity grid, from individual homes to industrial complexes and power plants, is essential to ensure safe and stable management of supply and demand.

UzAssystem is supporting Uzbekistan’s grid operator to create a digital model of the country’s electricity grid, which will be used to perform simulations to help assess grid conditions, the impact of new power facilities and the effect of upgrades on the grid across the whole of Uzbekistan.

The JV’s digital specialists are gathering data from multiple sources, including owners, operators, and regulators, to build the model using DIgSILENT Powerfactory. This approach is expected to significantly boost visibility, providing effective clarity on real-time conditions which will enable the grid operator to make informed decisions on the development of infrastructure. The study also lays the foundation for prioritising and sequencing grid integration investments.

Kerem Sadiklar, Uzbekistan General Manager, Assystem said: “This project is a prime example of our cutting-edge digital capabilities in practice. It also highlights the benefit of the joint venture approach – by combining local experience with international expertise we have been able to offer our client clear insight into its needs, which will drive informed and therefore cost-effective decision-making regarding future energy infrastructure in Uzbekistan.”

Any new source of electricity generation can place pressure on a country’s grid. While nuclear provides more consistent outputs, wind and solar power output varies depending on the prevailing weather conditions. This variability can be challenging to manage, especially when you lack clear visibility of your grid infrastructure.

A lack of clarity can also hinder the deployment of such technologies when it is unclear where spare grid capacity is available. Scaling up low-carbon generation capacity requires investment in a modern grid that reaches more remote areas well suited to hosting large assets such as wind and solar farms.

Beyond grid modelling services, UzAssystem is providing its engineering and digital expertise to support the development of low-carbon energy infrastructure across the country, and has also been assisting the Ministry of Energy to update its standards to International Electrotechnical Commission level.

Since the inception of the joint venture in 2019, UzAssystem has reached a significant milestone, with 50 contracts awarded. The engineering JV, which was formed to serve the Uzbekistan’s low carbon energy strategy, is involved in a variety of energy transition projects in the Republic.

With ambitious targets of 7GW solar and 5GW wind power capacity by 2030, and a plan to modernise its energy system, Uzbekistan’s energy transition is truly underway. UzAssystem is providing its engineering and digital expertise to support the development of renewable energy infrastructure across the country, including 200MW of solar power and over 2.5 GW of wind power in the Novoiy and Bukhara regions.

These projects are being supported via a range of services including geotechnical, topography and hydrology studies, grid impact assessments, and substation and over head line designs.

Efficient and modern electricity systems featuring variable renewable generation also need a well-managed grid, which is why UzAssystem is supporting the National Grid of Uzbekistan to model its grid system using PowerFactory by DIgSILENT. The JV is also assisting the Ministry of Energy to update its standards to International Electrotechnical Commission level.

Kerem Sadiklar, General Manager, UzAssystem said: “Uzbekistan is demonstrating genuine leadership in the global energy transition. Its Ministry of Energy has been tasked with delivering on ambitious renewable energy goals and working towards a modern, decarbonised grid. This comes with a number of challenges, but with UzAssystem’s support it is taking important steps towards a cleaner energy mix to contribute to addressing climate change.”