BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 8. Azerbaijan is becoming a hub for the production, distribution, and transit of green energy, Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said at the opening of the summer energy school at ADA University in Baku, TurkicWorld reports.
"The ADA discussion platform, among other negotiation forums, serves as a critical venue for understanding Azerbaijan's energy policies and its pivotal role in regional energy security, the EU's energy architecture, and global energy dynamics. Azerbaijan, an energy-rich nation, bolsters its economy not only by supplying oil and gas to neighboring Georgia (where part of the Baku Energy School training will be held) but also to numerous countries worldwide. Last year, nearly 75 percent of Azerbaijan's oil exports were directed to Europe, with gas exports seeing 10 percent to Georgia, 40 percent to Türkiye, and 50 percent to Europe. Concurrently, Azerbaijan is enhancing economic diversity for itself and its neighbors through green projects and decarbonization initiatives," Shahbazov stressed.
He drove home the point that countries need to get with the program and start cutting emissions to keep up with the changing climate.
"The issue of reducing greenhouse gas emissions holds a crucial place in Azerbaijan's energy agenda, facilitated by the implementation of renewable energy projects. We initiated these efforts in fall 2023 with the inauguration of a 230 MW solar power plant in Garadagh. In June 2024, we furthered our commitment by signing agreements to construct additional solar and wind power plants totaling 1 GW capacity. We are establishing green energy zones in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur as part of Azerbaijan's strategy for energy transition," the minister highlighted.
According to him, the apple of Azerbaijan's eye in their new socio-economic development program is green growth.
To achieve this goal, Azerbaijan is planning to pave the way for green energy export corridors, with the main objective of sending energy from the upcoming Caspian Sea wind energy station through Azerbaijan and Georgia to the Black Sea, and then continuing the journey to Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary.
"Additionally, we have plans to construct a green energy corridor extending through West Zangezur to Türkiye. Azerbaijan is also prepared to import green energy from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Thus, Azerbaijan is emerging as a hub for the production, supply, and transit of green energy, a pivotal component in advancing our climate agenda," stressed the minister of energy.
He also emphasized that Azerbaijan is keeping up with the times by conducting ongoing studies on energy storage, hydrogen production, and export, showing their dedication to staying on the cutting edge of green trends.
"This year, Azerbaijan will host the COP29 climate conference alongside numerous other negotiation platforms. I am confident that these events will yield significant benefits both domestically and globally," Shahbazov concluded.
