In partnership with the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Energy and Water Academy (EWA Academy) and ACWA Power organized a full-day Renewable Energy Technologies Training program in Tashkent, bringing together engineers, policymakers, financiers, legal advisors, and education professionals to strengthen Uzbekistan’s renewable energy capacity.

Held on Tuesday 07 October, the intensive program provided participants with both foundational and practical knowledge of solar, wind, storage, and hydrogen technologies, aligning with Uzbekistan’s national goals for a sustainable energy future. Notably, the training was also attended by students from Shirin College, Uzbekistan’s first dedicated renewable energy institution, reflecting ACWA Power’s ongoing commitment to youth development and skills transfer.

The training featured four core modules, each led by senior technical experts:

• Solar PV Technology – Presented by Manuel Pozo Garcia, Executive Director – PV Technical Services, highlighting advances in system design, grid integration, and performance optimization.
• Wind Technology – Delivered by Mohammad Iftekhar Ansari, Executive Director – Wind Technical Services, covering wind resource assessment, turbine technologies, and Uzbekistan’s wind potential in regions such as Karakalpakstan and Bukhara
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) & Hybrid Solutions – Presented by Krunal Patel, Director – BESS Technical Services, focusing on the role of storage in stabilizing grids and enabling renewable integration.
• Green Hydrogen – Presented by Philip Boustead, Director – Green Hydrogen & Derivatives Technical Services, exploring hydrogen’s role in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors

The program also included a keynote presentation by Jose Barragan, Vice President of Technical Services at ACWA Power, who showcased the company’s renewable energy portfolio and innovation pathways.

Interactive elements such as open discussions, a quiz, and an awards ceremony encouraged engagement and knowledge exchange among participants. Networking sessions further fostered cross-sector dialogue, supporting collaboration between technical experts, government representatives, and the private sector.

Reflecting on the program, Dr. Jon Zaidi, Country General Manager for ACWA Power in Uzbekistan, said:

“Under Vision 2030 and the leadership of the President, Uzbekistan’s green energy transition is of vital importance. This workshop is one of the many ways ACWA Power is supporting that journey — not only through investment in projects, but also by developing human capital, whether through today’s training or broader initiatives such as Shirin Energy College.”

Adding to this, Thamer Alsharhan, Chairman of the Energy and Water Academy, noted:

“Today’s program is part of our broader knowledge-sharing mission to support Uzbekistan’s energy transition, while also ensuring that the benefits of these initiatives reach and serve local communities.”

This initiative, delivered through EWA Academy and ACWA Power’s collaboration, reflects their long-term partnership with Uzbekistan, where ACWA Power is developing over 8.6 GW of renewable energy projects, including some of the region’s largest wind and solar facilities.