Masdar and EDF forge partnership with Kyrgyz Republic for 3.6GW of hydropower and renewable projects
4 December 2023
During COP28 in Dubai, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar), in collaboration with EDF, has inked an agreement with the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic to explore the development of hydropower and renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of up to 3.6GW.
The agreement was formalized in the presence of H.E. Taalaibek Ibraev, the Kyrgyz Minister of Energy, Ahmed Al Awadi, Masdar's Director of Development and Investment (EMEA), and Emmanuelle Chevennement, EDF's Assets Development Director for Europe and Central Asia. It was witnessed by H.E. Sadyr Japarov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sharif Al Olama, UAE Under-Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, and Luc Remont, Chairman and CEO of EDF.
This venture marks Masdar's inaugural foray into the hydropower sector, augmenting its diverse clean energy portfolio that spans solar, wind, geothermal, and green hydrogen. Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President, and Masdar Chairman, emphasized the global imperative to leverage all available clean energy sources to limit temperature rises to 1.5°C: “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," he said.
H.E. Taalaibek Ibraev, Minister of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic, added: "This agreement serves to further strengthen the existing ties between the Kyrgyz Republic, the UAE and France. 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."
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, hailed the agreement as a pivotal chapter in their 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 that we have utilized for so many other renewable energy sources as we seek, in partnership with EDF, to build a successful collaboration with the Kyrgyz Republic, deepening the strong relationship between the UAE and the Kyrgyz Republic."
The Kyrgyz Republic, committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 44% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, already generates 90% of its electricity from clean energy, predominantly hydropower. Central Asia, viewed as a pivotal emerging market, has seen Masdar enter several agreements for solar and wind projects, consolidating its position as a global leader in renewable energy and green hydrogen technologies.
