Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan discuss electricity transit from Central Asia PHOTO/UPDATE

A trilateral meeting has been held with the ministers of economy and energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Republic of Kazakhstan to discuss the prospects for the export of electricity from the Central Asian countries to Europe through Azerbaijan.

The prospects for the export of electricity through Azerbaijan from the Central Asian countries to Europe were discussed at the trilateral meeting. The sides reached an agreement to prepare a feasibility study for the project and establish a joint venture for the export of electricity, Caliber.Az reports citing the Azerbaijani Economy Ministry.

During the meeting, the sides stressed that multi-vector relations among the countries are developing on the basis of close, friendly, mutually beneficial ties based on common historical values. In this context, regular meetings, and phone talks among the presidents of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan play a special role.

The participation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev as an honorary guest in the fifth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia is a significant indicator of fraternal relations between Azerbaijan and the Central Asian countries.

The Kazakh and Uzbek companies are participating in the projects being implemented in the Azerbaijani territories liberated from occupation. As a gift from the Uzbek people, a secondary school named after Mirzo Ulugbek was built in Azerbaijan’s Fuzuli city. The Kazakh side is implementing a project for the construction of the Children's Creative Centre named after Kurmangazy in Fuzuli.

Along with the export of oil, oil products and natural gas, Azerbaijan is a successful supplier of electricity to foreign markets. Green energy projects contribute to the growth of electricity production and expansion of export potential, which opens up great prospects for its transportation and transit from Central Asia to Europe through Azerbaijan.

The sides emphasized that the state policy of the three countries in the development and export of renewable energy allows Azerbaijan to play the role of a connecting bridge for the supply of electricity from Central Asia to Europe. Azerbaijan, together with Georgia, Romania, and Hungary, is working on the creation of the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe export corridor, within which it is planned to export four GW of electricity. More than one GW of green energy will be supplied along the Nakhchivan-Türkiye-Europe route.

Kazakhstan’s and Uzbekistan’s opportunities to reach these corridors will contribute to the further development of their electricity markets, strengthening cooperation in the production and supply of green hydrogen and ammonia, strengthening energy security and the development of green projects within the Middle Corridor.

The sides emphasized that there is no alternative to sustainable development based on expanding generation and introducing widespread use of renewable energy sources, as well as the sides’ intentions to continue their own and joint efforts for further decarbonization, without sacrificing the right to develop their own economies.

Successful experience of joint activity and cooperation in various fields, including energy, was noted. The sides welcomed Azerbaijan's initiative to coordinate efforts and synchronize the further development of energy systems of the regional countries, including the potential sustainable interconnection of energy systems, as well as efforts in accordance with the mutual interests of the sides for the supply and exchange of clean electricity, including supply and exchange to third-country markets.

The ministers noted the countries' potential in renewable energy and their readiness to join the project of exporting electricity obtained from alternative sources to Europe. In this context, interest has been expressed in exploring the possibilities of laying high-voltage lines along the bottom of the Black Sea after integration with the Azerbaijani energy system.

Moreover, the ministers confirmed that the development of the green energy transfer project will further strengthen the ties among the economies and energy systems of the participating countries, and will also give new impetus to national energy industries.

A joint communiqué was signed following the meeting. The next meeting at the level of ministers of economy and energy is expected to be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

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Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan discussed the possibilities of transit of electricity from Central Asian countries.

“The trilateral meeting held with Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov and the Ministers in charge of economy and energy from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan was significant in terms of diversifying trade and economic relations. The focus of the discussions was on fostering partnerships, with a particular emphasis on renewable energy, and exploring opportunities for the transit of electric energy from Central Asian nations,” Azerbaijani Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov, Caliber.Az reports.

🇦🇿🇺🇿🇰🇿 The trilateral meeting held with #Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov (@ParvizShahbazov) and the Ministers in charge of #economy and #energy from #Uzbekistan and #Kazakhstan was significant in terms of diversifying #trade and economic relations. The focus of the… pic.twitter.com/QKfQnB9dzD

— Mikayil Jabbarov (@MikayilJabbarov) November 14, 2023