Uzbekistan launches first agrivoltaics project in Central Asia

Uzbekistan has launched its first agrivoltaics project, marking a milestone in integrating renewable energy and agriculture in Central Asia.

The project is being implemented at the Research Institute of Vegetables, Melons and Potatoes in cooperation with French renewable energy company Voltalia. It aims to combine electricity generation with agricultural production by installing solar panels over cultivated land, enabling the simultaneous production of crops and energy.

The initiative is supported by a $1 million grant and is designed to promote more efficient land use, expand applied scientific research, and support the development of sustainable farming practices. A pilot facility with a capacity of 800 kilowatts is being established at the institute’s scientific and experimental station in the Tashkent region.

The opening ceremony was attended by Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Akmal Kasimov, and France’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Walid Fouquet. Officials discussed prospects for strengthening bilateral cooperation and aligning agricultural research with clean energy development.

Under the project, 1 hectare of land has been allocated for experiments on cultivating vegetables, potatoes, and melons beneath solar panels. An investment agreement has been signed to formalize the partners’ cooperation.

Project organizers say the initiative is expected to support the wider adoption of innovative agricultural technologies, improve the practical application of scientific research, and expand the use of renewable energy in Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector.