"Solar Energy Project Leaves Uzbek Women in the Dark", 03 August 2022

"French energy company Total Eren is about to finalize the construction of a 100 megawatt solar farm in the Samarkand region of Uzbekistan. The project is funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank, with total investments of over 65 million euros. However, locals who live just 100 meters from the project site continue to struggle with electricity shortages, water scarcity, and unemployment.

“We only have enough electricity for one bulb to let children do their homework in the evening. We have no fridge, washing machine or TV due to electricity scarcity. Sometimes, the school doesn’t work in the wintertime as there is insufficient electricity to heat it,” said a woman living in the Tutly settlement, just next to the recently constructed solar farm.

The women Bankwatch interviewed during a fact-finding mission in the area also said they have to pay for drinking water and gas delivered from another region, while having no permanent job or social assistance. 

“I am divorced, and my sister’s husband works in Russia. He hasn’t been at home for two years. We live together to help with children and the household. We weave carpets and sell them at the local market for $30. But it takes months to make one. We really need this work at the solar farm,” said the woman...

“Only three women are employed at the project for cleaning work. The rest are men and mainly from another settlement. We would like to get a job there, even for cleaning tasks,” said one of the women interviewed by Bankwatch.

During an online meeting that Bankwatch held with representatives of Tutly Solar LLC, a subsidiary of Total Eren, the company said it has a high share of women employees, including those in decision-making positions. However, exact data was not provided. Company representatives also confirmed that no professional training to enhance employment opportunities among local women has been considered...

The project documentation doesn’t include any sex-segregated data to identify risks and effective mitigation measures. The only proposed strategy for addressing gender-based violence and harassment at the project site is by ensuring separate gender accommodation. But considering the small number of women employees and the influx of male workers, the risk of gender-based violence and harassment may increase for female residents.

Gender-specific issues aren’t addressed in the grievance redress mechanism either; the local authority or contractor is the only proposed entry point for filing a complaint. Considering the existing power imbalance and nepotism in Uzbekistan, this mechanism won’t serve its purpose, especially for women.."