Tashkent, Uzbekistan, October 1, 2019 —IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, signed an agreement today to advise Uzbekistan on the structure and tender of a public-private partnership (PPP) to develop a 1,300 megawatt gas-fired power plant in the Syrdarya region. "The successful implementation of this public-private partnership will improve the stability of electricity supply and allow for more efficient use of natural gas," said Golib Kholjigitov, head of Uzbekistan's Public-Private Partnership Development Agency. "The competitive tender process will also establish standards for transparency that will increase investors’ confidence and benefit procurement of PPP projects across different sectors of the economy in the years to come."
As transaction advisory, IFC will support the government to design a public-private partnership that will attract qualified private sector investors to develop the project and allocate risk appropriately between the public and private sectors. The government will select an investor for the project through a competitive bidding process that follows best practices. This public-private partnership is designed to help modernize Uzbekistan's ageing power infrastructure and provide both residents and businesses with a steady supply of electricity. This is key for Uzbekistan, which will see its energy demand grow by up to 50 percent by 2030, according to World Bank Group estimates.
This project is part of a broader effort by IFC to support private sector investments in Uzbekistan’s energy sector
"Uzbekistan, like many developing countries, has a limited amount of funds that it can spend on much needed infrastructure projects," said Wiebke Schloemer, IFC Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia. "By introducing the capital and expertise of the private sector, the country can spur the development of major infrastructure projects to improve the business environment and improve the quality of life for its people."
Uzbekistan, the most populous country in Central Asia, is currently undergoing an unprecedented economic transformation. IFC is supporting the new government’s reform process through a combination of investments and advisory services in many key areas. IFC currently manages a US$58 million investment portfolio in Uzbekistan with investments mainly in the financial and textile sectors. IFC’s advisory services provided under six projects designed to assist the country in privatizing SOEs, including two state-owned banks, transforming the cotton sector, developing and diversifying the financial market, promoting energy efficiency in the chemical sector, and piloting PPP transactions in renewables and health sectors.
About IFC
IFC—a sister organization of the World Bank and member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities where they are needed most. In fiscal year 2019, we delivered more than $19 billion in long-term financing for developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ifc.org .
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