Voltalia has delivered the first megawatt-hours from its 126MW Sarimay Solar project in Uzbekistan.
The company said the milestone marks a decisive step towards full commissioning, with construction launched in May 2024 now in its final stage.
Sarimay was awarded through a public tender in December 2022 and is backed by a 25-year power purchase agreement.
The 180-hectare site features more than 180,000 bifacial solar panels, over 350 inverters and a three-kilometre transmission line.
Once fully operational, the plant will generate about 252GWh per year, enough to power 60,000 residents and avoid more than 140,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
The project is financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development with support from the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus.
Voltalia led the project from development through engineering, procurement and construction supervision, and will provide operations and maintenance once the plant becomes operational.
The company said Sarimay includes extensive environmental initiatives such as planting 2.65 million Haloxylon persicum shrubs to restore local ecosystems.
Voltalia added that it supports surrounding communities, including local schools, to promote education and training.
At the peak of construction, approximately 776 workers were mobilised on site, 85% of whom were local, with all activities carried out in compliance with Health, Safety and Environment standards.
Voltalia is also developing the 500-hectare Artemisya hybrid complex, with the first phase delivering 100MW of wind and 100MW/200MWh of storage from 2026.
Artemisya will generate around 383GWh per year once commissioned in late 2027.
Robert Klein, CEO of Voltalia, said: “The first megawatt-hours from Sarimay marks a major achievement for Voltalia in Central Asia.”
Klein added: “Successfully completing this 126-megawatt solar project demonstrates our ability to deliver large-scale renewable solutions that benefit both the environment and local communities.”
He said: “We are excited to build on this momentum with our upcoming Artemisya project, which will further strengthen Uzbekistan’s renewable energy capacity and support the country’s energy transition goals for 2030.”