Plan to develop up to 3.6GW of hydropower and renewable projects
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company– Masdar, the UAE’s clean energy powerhouse, and EDF have signed an agreement with the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic to explore the development of hydropower and renewable projects with a combined capacity of up to 3.6 gigawatts (GW).
The agreement was signed during COP28 in Dubai by Kyrgyz Minister of Energy, Taalaibek Ibraev; Masdar Director, Development and Investment (EMEA), Ahmed Al Awadi and EDF Assets Development Director for Europe and Central Asia, Emmanuelle Chevennement.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, HE Sadyr Japarov; UAE Under-Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Sharif Al Olama, and EDF Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Luc Remont.
Green hydrogen
Despite an extensive clean energy portfolio encompassing solar, floating solar, onshore wind, offshore wind, floating wind, geothermal, battery energy storage systems and green hydrogen, today’s memorandum of understanding (MoU) represents Masdar’s first entry into the hydropower space.
“Hydropower is one of the oldest clean energy sources and has many positive attributes that can help a number of countries around the world achieve their climate goals and meet their net-zero targets,” commented Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President and Masdar Chairman.
Important energy source
“Hydropower is a very important energy source for the Kyrgyz Republic and this agreement will help our nation to strengthen its existing clean energy supply and to develop projects utilizing other renewable energy sources,” observed Brave.
“This agreement represents a new chapter for Masdar in our clean energy journey. With over 17 years of pioneering renewable energy technologies and successfully delivering utility-scale clean energy projects, we are glad to have the opportunity to bring the energy, passion and focus to hydropower,” remarked Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO, Masdar.
