Uzbekistan : Sherabad Solar Power Project

Nonsovereign Project | 55101-001

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Rogan, Xeniya
    Private Sector Operations Department
    Request for information
  • Approval Date
    15 March 2023
  • Country/Economy
    Uzbekistan
  • Sector
    • Energy
Project Name Sherabad Solar Power Project
Project Number 55101-001
Borrower / Company "Nur Sherabad Solar PV" Foreign Enterprise Limited Liability Company
Country / Economy Uzbekistan
Location Nation-wide
Type or Modality of Assistance
4301 Loan Ordinary capital resources USD 42.95 million Signed
CF113 B-Loan / CFS Commercial Lenders USD 12.50 million Approved
Operational Priorities OP1: Addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities
OP2: Accelerating progress in gender equality
OP3: Tackling climate change, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhancing environmental sustainability
Sector / Subsector

Energy / Renewable energy generation - solar
Gender Effective gender mainstreaming
Responsible ADB Department Private Sector Operations Department
Responsible ADB Division Infrastructure Finance Division 1
Responsible ADB Officer Rogan, Xeniya
Project Sponsor(s) Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC - Masdar
Description
Objectives and Scope Uzbekistan's new energy policy emphasizes the deployment of renewable energy. Encouraged by early achievements to invite private sector investments in multiple large solar and wind power projects, the government is currently working on increasing the solar capacity to 5 GW and wind capacity to 7 GW. This project is expected to establish bankable precedents intended to catalyze further private sector participation in Uzbekistan's renewable energy sector.
Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy The project is consistent with ADB's Strategy 2030, which includes tackling climate change and enhancing environmental sustainability as key operational priorities. The project is also consistent with the Uzbekistan Country Partnership Strategy 2019- 2023, as the project will help foster reliable energy supply to improve energy security and promote the use of renewable energy sources. ADB seeks to create conditions for greater private sector participation in Uzbekistan.
Safeguard Categories
Environment B
Involuntary Resettlement B
Indigenous Peoples C
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects The project is classified as category B for environment. The initial environmental and social examination identified potentially adverse environmental impacts of the project including but not limited to impacts on surface water, groundwater, visual and landscape, biodiversity, soil quality, noise and air quality, traffic, and community and occupational health and safety. These impacts are considered to be site-specific, few if any of them are irreversible, and in most cases, mitigation measures can be designed readily. The project's environment, health, and safety risks and impacts have been identified and assessed, and appropriate mitigation measures have been developed, as detailed in the IESE.
Involuntary Resettlement The Project is classified category B for involuntary resettlement under ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS, 2009). The solar power plant will be located on a 631 hectares land plot that belongs to the government land reserve. The required land will be leased by the borrower from government under a 30-year term. Nearby villages seasonally use the wider solar site area for pasture and grazing of livestock, but the site area can be readily replaced by other higher quality nearby pasture sites. The footprint for the overhead transmission line is 50.5km long and its towers will require permanent acquisition of 1.17 hectares of land. Six-meter-wide access roads for heavy machineries, tower assembly areas and an 18-meter right of way for the TL between will also result in temporary displacement impacts. Overall, the project will result in economic displacement of 40 households and a cotton farm business which employs 18 households. A Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan (LARP) has been developed and will implemented by the borrower in accordance with national legislation and regulations and ADB's SPS. The Plan provides for compensation and livelihood restoration support to the affected people.
Indigenous Peoples The project is classified as category C for Indigenous People under ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement (2009). Results of the initial environmental and social examination (IESE) and the LARP done by the borrower's consultants indicate that the project will not have any impacts on Indigenous Peoples or on any vulnerable ethnic minorities, and its operations are not anticipated to result in any Indigenous Peoples impacts.
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation Consultations with relevant stakeholders including government agencies, khokimyats, civil society organizations, members of the project host communities, and affected peoples were conducted by the borrower and its third-party consultant as part of the IESE process. A Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) is being developed by the borrower which identifies the approach and key steps that the borrower will need to undertake as part of its stakeholder engagement activities throughout the various stages of project implementation. The SEP will include a grievance redress mechanism for the affected people and other relevant stakeholders to raise their concerns in the course of project implementation.
Timetable for assistance design, processing and implementation
Concept Clearance -
Credit Committee Meeting -
Approval 15 Mar 2023
Last PDS Update 15 Mar 2023

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

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Title Document Type Document Date
Sherabad Solar Power Project: Initial Poverty and Social Analysis Initial Poverty and Social Analysis Jan 2023

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

Title Document Type Document Date
Sherabad Solar Power Project: Final Resettlement Plan Resettlement Plans May 2023
Sherabad Solar Power Project: Final Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Environment and Social Impact Assessments Mar 2023
Sherabad Solar Power Project: Draft Resettlement Plan Resettlement Plans Jan 2023
Sherabad Solar Power Project: Draft Initial Environmental and Social Examination Report Initial Environmental Examination Jan 2023

Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.

Related Publications

None currently available.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.