Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Uzbekistan has established a new enterprise engaged in production of solar collectors.

The facility was commissioned in the Dzizak special industrial zone, a representative of the Uzbekenergo State Joint-Stock Company told Trend Agency.

The enterprise, called Quyosh Issiqlik Energiyasi (Solar Thermal Power), was jointly commissioned by Uzbekistan and China.

A framework agreement on cooperation in organizing the new projects for introduction of energy-saving innovations was signed between Uzbekenergo and the Chinese Hangzhou Zhongwu Electronic Meters Company Limited in April 2013.

In July 2013, Jizzax Hududiy Elektr Tarmoqlari Korxonasi, Uzbekenergo and Hangzhou Zhongwu Electronic Meters Company Limited inked an agreement on establishing a joint venture in Dzizak.

The project worth $3.34 million is aimed at manufacturing 50,000 solar water heaters annually. The project is being co-financed with China's direct investment.

The Dzizak special industrial zone was established in March 2012 under a decree signed by Uzbek President Islam Karimov.

Dzizak industrial zone will have a branch in the Syr Darya province. The project envisages the effective utilization of the production and resource of Dzizak and Syr Darya provinces, creation of new jobs, and increase of the population's income.

The Dzizak special industrial zone mainly tries to attract direct investments for launching high-tech and innovative production to produce competitive goods for domestic and foreign markets.

The Dzizak industrial zone will be in operation for 30 years, with a capacity of extension. During this period, special tax regulations and customs benefits will be provided depending on the volume of investment.

Uzbekistan's potential of renewable energy sources amounts to about 51 billion tons of oil equivalent. The country's hydropower potential is 9.2 million tons of oil equivalents, while the potential of solar energy with 300 sunny days per year is 50.973 billion tons, wind potential 2.2 million tons and geothermal waters 0.2 million tons of oil equivalents.

In early 2013, Uzbekistan developed a set of measures for development of alternative sources of energy. The country established the International Institute for Solar Energy jointly with ADB in September 2013.

The institute is aimed to implement high-tech developments in the field of industrial application of solar energy, to conduct applied researches on the use of solar energy in various sectors of economy and to coordinate the development of documentation for major projects in the field of solar energy.