_BIOGRAPHY Under his leadership, Cengiz Energy has diversified its portfolio to include not only conventional energy sources but also renewable energy. The company has implemented Türkiye's first and Europe's largest hybrid power plant, consisting of a hydroelectric power plant and a solar power plant. He is a prominent figure in the Turkish business community.

“AS UZBEKISTAN UNDERGOES A MAJOR TRANSFORMATION OF ITS ENERGY SECTOR, FOCUSING IN MODERNIZING AND DIVERSIFYING THE COUNTRY'S ENERGY MIX, CENGIZ ENERGY IS ONE OF THE LEADING INVESTORS.”

CAN YOU GIVE US AN OVERVIEW OF YOUR COMPANY AND ITS INVESTMENTS IN UZBEKISTAN?

Cengiz Energy is one of the most significant subsidiaries of Cengiz Holding, one of the largest groups in Türkiye with 43,000 employees, that focuses on value-added industry and technology-focused mining. In addition to its contributions to the group's green production-oriented industrial vision, Cengiz Enerji is also one of the biggest private sector companies in Türkiye's energy supply security. With a total installed capacity of 4,783 MW, Cengiz Energy produces 5% of all Türkiye's electricity generation.

While energy supply security has become one of the most pressing issues in the world economy today, Cengiz Energy contributes to Türkiye's all energy production with its high technology. Today, the total installed capacity of its thermal power plants has reached 2,000 MW, including the Karabiga Thermal Power Plant, Samsun Natural Gas Combined Cycle Power Plant, and the Cogeneration Power Plant in Konya. Cengiz Energy's Samsun Natural Gas Combined Cycle Power Plant is the world's most productive natural gas combined cycle power plant.

I would like to underline that Cengiz Energy's growth strategy in the field of energy is on renewable energy resources. Cengiz Energy has implemented Türkiye's first and Europe's largest hybrid power plant in Bingöl, consisting of a hydroelectric power plant and a solar power plant, named Lower Kaleköy Dam and Hybrid Power Plant, in Bingöl, Upper Kaleköy Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant, and Beyhan-1 Dam in Elazığ and Hydroelectric Power Plant. With a total installed power of 2,311 MW in hydroelectricity, it is Türkiye's largest player in the private sector in this field. Cengiz Energy started wind power plant investment in 2021 in which will have 122 MW installed capacity at the end of the year in Çankırı, Sinop, and KOÇaeli.

Cengiz Energy's goal is to transform these power plants into hybrids with the solar panels that it started to build under the WPPs. The company has started to install the first panels in Sinop. Within the scope of this project, 65 thousand solar panels with an installed power of 35 MW will be added to Hamsi WPP. With all these investments, the installed power of Cengiz Holding's renewable energy investments consisting of hydroelectric, wind, and solar will exceed 3,000 MW.

HOW IS CENGIZ ENERGY CONTRIBUTING TO UZBEKISTAN'S ENERGY SECTOR?

In recent times, Uzbekistan is facing a growing demand for electricity due to industrialization and population growth. This has led to a need for energy security and stability. While many of its power plants are outdated, Uzbekistan has vast natural gas resources and significant potential for renewable energy. The country has been working to use its resources more efficiently, avoid blackouts and stabilize its energy supply. Important investment incentives are being offered in the energy sector, and large-scale projects are being realized in the country.

Cengiz Energy currently operates two natural gas combined cycle power plants in Tashkent and Sirdaryo, with a total installed capacity of 480 MW. The company is also seeking opportunities for new investments in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is attracting investments from Türkiye and other countries worldwide, which is helping the country undergo a significant transformation in energy. Private sector capital and expertise are helping to meet growing energy demand in a cost-effective and efficient way while reducing the carbon footprint in the long term. The Uzbek government is promoting the transition to a green industry and decarbonization of the energy sector, which is beneficial for Cengiz Energy.

Cengiz Energy has invested in two facilities to continue supporting the renewal of Uzbekistan's energy infrastructure and power generation. The company is interested in new opportunities in line with the country's strategy to diversify its energy supply. Uzbekistan is one of the most energy-intensive economies in the world and has great potential to increase energy efficiency and invest in renewable energy resources.

To achieve a dynamic, flexible, and secure energy sector, Uzbekistan needs to attract more private sector investment to build new facilities and modernize existing infrastructure. The energy reform has taken important steps to improve energy security and attract investment. For these reforms to succeed, an independent energy regulator alongside incentives must be in place. The country has great potential to increase the efficiency and diversity of its domestic energy supply and use.