Between the vast grasslands of Kazakhstan and the lush oases of Uzbekistan, energy shortages have long hindered regional development. That is now beginning to change with the commissioning of the Bukhara Wind Power Project — the largest wind power development in Central Asia.
Behind this achievement lies a 5,000-kilometer logistics corridor built by Sinotrans Limited (Sinotrans), a subsidiary of China Merchants Group (CMG), spanning China, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. This “path of wind” has transformed a regional dream of renewable energy into a tangible reality.
Sinotrans vehicles carrying 84-meter-long wind turbine blades through the picturesque Ili River Valley en route to Central Asia. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The Bukhara Wind Power Project began preparations in December 2022, completed construction in November 2024, and reached full-capacity grid connection at the Bash wind farm on January 16. Once fully operational, the project is expected to generate 3.59 billion kWh of electricity annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 1.6 million tons per year. It marks a significant leap in Uzbekistan’s energy transformation and greatly enhances local power supply capacity, injecting strong momentum into the country’s pursuit of green energy development.
For Sinotrans’ project team, the nearly two-year endeavor was an unprecedented expedition. The company was tasked with transporting 1,422 oversized components — including 84-meter blades and 130-ton generators — from Chinese cities such as Baotou, Jiuquan, and Bayannur to the project site in Uzbekistan. Along the way, the team had to overcome extreme challenges including road closures due to freezing temperatures, communication blackouts in uninhabited desert zones, customs bottlenecks at border crossings, and complex height restrictions on roads and bridges.
To tackle these challenges, Sinotrans deployed on-site teams at key checkpoints in China, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, ensuring end-to-end coordination and real-time oversight of every transport stage. A smart logistics platform was also integrated into operations, enabling full visibility of equipment in transit and significantly improving cross-border transport management and dispatch precision.
During the peak of operations in October 2023, the team achieved a record-breaking 160 vehicle dispatches and delivered 18 turbine sets in a single month — surpassing all previous heavy-lift transport limits at China-Kazakhstan border crossings.
After 625 days and nights of efforts, 158 wind turbines completed their magnificent journey with “zero delays, zero damage,” ensuring the project’s timely operation. The project stands as a testament to China-Central Asia collaboration and a powerful example of China’s contribution to sustainable energy and modern logistics in the region.
(Executive editor: Yuan Ting)
