Saudi Arabia’s Acwa Power has signed agreements worth $12 billion to develop three new energy projects in Uzbekistan, as the Riyadh-based utility continues to expand its portfolio.
The deals include a "heads of terms agreement" to develop the largest single onshore wind project in the world in the Karakalpakstan region of Uzbekistan with a total capacity of 1.5 gigawatts, and a $10bn investment co-operation agreement to jointly develop gas-to-power, renewable energy and green hydrogen projects in Uzbekistan.
Acwa Power is also teaming up with New York-listed industrial gases company Air Products to invest in a green hydrogen project in the central Asian republic, it said in a statement on Thursday.
“We have outstanding partners in Acwa Power, which is already implementing four energy projects in Uzbekistan, meaning these new ventures are based on a strong foundation of partnership and trust,” said Azim Akhmedkhodjaev, Uzbekistan's first deputy minister of energy.
The new agreements come as Acwa Power continues to expand its global portfolio. Earlier this year, the company said it was teaming up with Oman’s OQ energy company and Air Products to create a multi-billion-dollar green hydrogen-based ammonia production unit in Oman's Salalah free zone. It is also leading a consortium to develop a 1.1-gigawatt wind project worth $1.5bn in Egypt.
"Uzbekistan is at the forefront of energy transition in central Asia, and these key agreements with the country’s Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade and Ministry of Energy, make Uzbekistan Acwa Power’s second-largest country for overall investment," said Mohammad Abunayyan, chairman of Acwa Power.
The Karakalpakstan project is expected to achieve a financial close by the end of 2023 and will be fully commissioned by the first quarter of 2026, the statement said.
When complete, it will power 1.65 million households and contribute 19 per cent to Uzbekistan’s overall renewable energy goals.
The central Asian republic is targeting 8 gigawatts and 12 gigawatts of solar and wind capacity by 2026 and 2030, respectively.
Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, is the biggest shareholder in Acwa Power, with a 50 per cent stake. It also has seven other stakeholders, including the Saudi Public Pension Agency.
The company raised $1.2bn from its listing last year, making it one of the biggest share sales in the energy space after Saudi Aramco's initial public offering on the Tadawul in 2019, which raised a record $29.4bn.
The new deals were signed during Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's visit to Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre supercharged V6
Power: 416hp at 7,000rpm
Torque: 410Nm at 3,500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Fuel consumption: 10.2 l/100km
Price: Dh375,000
On sale: now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Revibe%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hamza%20Iraqui%20and%20Abdessamad%20Ben%20Zakour%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Refurbished%20electronics%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410m%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%2C%20Resonance%20and%20various%20others%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Charlotte Gainsbourg
Rest
(Because Music)
