Uzbekistan has registered its first solar plant under the I-REC system. The Ministry of Economy and Finance and “Texnopark” LLC have signed an agreement to issue renewable energy certificates – I-REC(E).

An I-REC certificate verifies the generation of 1,000 kWh of electricity from renewable sources. It allows companies operating renewables to register and trade certificates that are internationally tradable, attracting green financing opportunities and providing access to foreign markets.

The first solar park in Uzbekistan to be accredited is a 823 kW solar power facility, installed by Uzbek enterprise Texnopark. It is the fifth renewable energy project to receive certification in the country, following four state-owned hydropower plants previously registered.

As of now, four hydropower plants under the “Uzbekhydroenergo” joint-stock company, with a total capacity of 962.4 MW, are registered in the international I-REC system. The solar power plant by “Texnopark” is the first solar energy facility in Uzbekistan to be registered in this system.

Over the past 18 months, a total of 344,835 renewable energy certificates have been issued in Uzbekistan. Among the first to adopt the I-REC system were companies such as Uzsanoatqurilishbank, British-American Tobacco Uzbekistan, WorleyParsons, Energoqurilishindustriya, Click, Knauf, UzAuto Motors, and Navoiyuran.

An update from the ministry adds that interest in the certification is growing, with textile manufacturers and data centers expressing interest in the market.

The I-REC system is currently active in nearly 60 countries, with over 200 million certificates issued worldwide to date.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) says Uzbekistan had installed 2,275 MW of solar by the end of 2024, up from 475 MW at the end of 2023.