Azerbaijan, IRENA launch renewable energy partnership programme in Central Asia

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Energy, in collaboration with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), has launched a programme titled Accelerated Partnership for Renewable Energy in Central Asia (APRECA).

The programme was established during the Energy Transition Investment Forum for Central Asia, which was held within the framework of COP29, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

The initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy sources in the region and promote green industrialisation. Ministers and deputy ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and the UAE were also present at the forum, where they collectively emphasised the need for Central Asian countries to unite in their efforts to develop renewable energy resources.

Francesco La Camera, the Director-General of IRENA, noted that hosting an investment forum focused on energy transition within the COP29 framework would play a pivotal role in stimulating investments in the renewable energy sector across Central Asia. He remarked, "The region has vast potential in renewable energy. All Central Asian countries must join forces to develop renewable energy."

La Camera further stressed the importance of investing in renewable energy for ensuring energy security and limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. "One of the next concrete steps will be the second phase of the energy transition, which will include a component for identifying suitable projects. This will take place in Baku during the Baku Energy Week next summer."

In addition, Gurbuz Gonul, Director of Country Engagement and Partnerships at IRENA, outlined the next steps during the investment forum. He explained, "More detailed discussions and consultations will be held with governments to identify key energy transition priorities, both at the national and regional levels, taking into account the regional nature of the initiative."

Gonul went on to add, "We will then develop action plans at the country and regional levels to determine where technical support is needed, how to support the development and implementation of projects, and how to encourage more active participation from the private sector in the energy transition."

By Aghakazim Guliyev