The IFC is considering a loan to support the Zarafshan Wind Project (the “Project”), a 500MW (installed capacity) wind IPP project in the Navoi Region of Uzbekistan, that is being developed on a bilateral basis between the Government of Uzbekistan (“GoU”) and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (“Masdar” or the “Sponsor”). Masdar are a renewable energy and sustainable urban development company wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company PJSC (“Mubadala”). The project consists of the construction, operation, and maintenance of the wind farm and it is anticipated to be operational for 25 years.

The proposed project is planned to comprise of up to 111 WTGs, each with a capacity of up to 4.5 MW. There will be one substation located within the project area connecting the wind farm to existing 220 kV OHLs that run across the project site via two short 220 kV OHLs. Addition infrastructure will include workers accommodation, compound areas, site access road, tracks to access each turbine and underground cabling from the turbines to the substation.   It is expected that construction will take place from late 2021 to late 2024 and, once operational, will supply power to the national grid.

The main project area is in the Tamdy District of the Navoi Region. It lies within the central part of the Kyzylkum Desert and occupies an area approximately 9,600 hectares in size. The project is located approximately 7 km east of the centre of Zarafshan City with elevation rising from 540 m above sea level (asl) at the centre of Zarafshan to 750 m asl on the plateau. To the north (around 3.5 km away) is Mount Aktau Important Bird and Biodiversity Area which supports breeding and resident populations of raptors which are of international and national conservation status. The plateau measures approximately 6.5 km x 2.5 km in size and is oriented in a west to east direction. The terrain slopes steeply in all directions at the edge. All land within the project area is owned by the government and managed by Tamdy District on behalf of central government. Certain parts of the project are leased to farmers which currently use the area for rough grazing of sheep and to a lesser extent, goats, and horses.

The project has developed an preliminary environmental & social impact assessment titled “Zarafshan Wind Farm - Preliminary Environmental & Social Impact Assessment” dated “July 2021” to address E&S risks, impacts and mitigations for the project which is currently being updated to meet IFC’s Performance Standards.