The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $116 million financing package with Acwa to support the development of a 300‑megawatt wind power plant in Uzbekistan’s Bukhara region. The project, known as Bash 2, will accelerate the country’s renewable energy transition and builds on the earlier Bash Wind Power Project cofinanced by ADB in 2023.
The financing includes $50 million from ADB’s ordinary capital resources, $41 million mobilized from commercial lenders with ADB as lead arranger, and $25 million from the Leading Asia’s Private Infrastructure Fund 2 (LEAP 2). Parallel lenders include the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and Standard Chartered, with ADB serving as environmental and social coordinator.
Bash 2 will feature 39 wind turbine generators, a new substation, and transmission lines connecting to the national grid. ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department Director General Isabel Chatterton emphasized that the project expands Uzbekistan’s clean energy capacity, supports grid stability, reduces carbon emissions, and creates quality jobs. Alongside other ADB‑financed projects, it lifts ADB‑supported renewable capacity in Uzbekistan beyond 2 gigawatts.
The project is expected to generate at least 800 jobs during construction and 25 permanent operational jobs, while promoting inclusion of women and girls in the renewable energy workforce. Awareness‑raising measures, including technical study tours for female students, will be incorporated to ensure safe and inclusive implementation.
Acwa’s Chief Financial Officer Abdulhameed AlMuhaidib described Bash 2 as a significant step in the company’s partnership with Uzbekistan, highlighting the role of public–private partnerships in mobilizing capital and delivering reliable, cost‑competitive clean power. Acwa, a global leader in water desalination and renewable energy, has a market capitalization of about $35 billion and operates across 15 countries.
ADB has previously financed several of Acwa’s renewable projects in Uzbekistan, including large wind and solar developments. LEAP 2, managed by ADB with support from Japan’s International Cooperation Agency, plays a key role in financing sustainable infrastructure projects that reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.
Founded in 1966, ADB continues to support sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific, working with its 69 member countries to deliver innovative financial tools, partnerships, and infrastructure that safeguard both communities and the planet.
