The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $116 million financing package with Acwa, the world’s largest private water desalination company and a leader in the energy transition, to support the development, construction, operation and transfer of a 300-megawatt (MW) wind power plant in Uzbekistan’s Bukhara region, further accelerating the country’s transition to renewable energy.
The financing comprises loans of $50 million from ADB’s ordinary capital resources; $41 million mobilized from commercial lenders, with ADB acting as mandated lead arranger and bookrunner; and $25 million from the Leading Asia’s Private Infrastructure Fund 2 (LEAP 2). ADB also serves as environmental and social coordinator for the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Standard Chartered, which are parallel lenders.
The power plant—known as Bash 2—is an extension of the Bash Wind Power Project, which was cofinanced by ADB in 2023. Bash 2 will feature 39 wind turbine generators, each with a nameplate capacity of up to 8 MW; a new 35/500 kilovolt substation; and approximately 1.5 kilometers of overhead transmission line to connect the plant to the national grid.
“ADB’s connected approach is helping countries build resilience across energy, food, water, ecosystems, and communities in Uzbekistan,” said ADB Director General for Private Sector Operations Isabel Chatterton. “The Bash 2 Wind Power Project expands Uzbekistan’s clean energy capacity, supports grid stability, reduces carbon emissions, and creates quality jobs. Alongside other ADB-financed wind projects in the country, this lifts ADB-supported capacity beyond 2 gigawatts—demonstrating how long-term partnerships translate climate ambition into scale while catalyzing private investment. It demonstrates how integrated investments across sectors can strengthen resilience in an uncertain world.”
The project will support local economic development by generating employment opportunities, while fostering greater inclusion of women and girls in the renewable energy workforce. At least 800 jobs are expected to be created during construction and at least 25 permanent operational jobs. Additionally, the project will incorporate awareness-raising measures to support safe, inclusive, and well-managed project implementation, including technical study tours on wind energy farms for female students or graduates.
