Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- For the construction and management of 3 large solar photovoltaic power plants in Surkhandarya (Sherabad), Samarkand (Kattakurgan) and Jizzakh (Gallyaaral) regions of Uzbekistan, the Masdar signed contracts to raise loans from the EBRD for US$127 million, with ADB for US$102 million and their partner banks for US$167 million.

These solar photovoltaic plants with a total installed capacity of 897 MW and an annual output of 2 billion kWh of electricity will be the largest solar energy projects in the region. The commissioning of early capacities of facilities in Samarkand (Kattakurgan) and Jizzakh (Gallyaaral) regions is scheduled for December this year.

According to the results of the tender held for the implementation of these projects, the Masdar from the United Arab Emirates was recognized as the winner with the best proposals.

As a result of the commissioning of photovoltaic plants, 620 million cubic meters of natural gas will be saved per year, and more than 600,000 households will be supplied with "green" energy.