Azerbaijan seeks German collaboration for bold renewable energy plans

Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov has invited German energy companies to partner in Azerbaijan's renewable energy projects, emphasizing the country’s significant potential and strategic plans.

Speaking at an event organized by the Federal Association of German Industry during COP29, with German Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economy and Climate Protection Robert Habeck in attendance, Shahbazov highlighted Azerbaijan's ambitious green energy goals and cross-continental initiatives, Caliber.Az reports citing local media.

The Minister noted that the COP29 presidency has actively contributed to advancing critical climate discussions and initiatives, particularly in the areas of climate finance, nationally determined contributions (NDCs), national adaptation plans (NAPs), and biennial transparency reports. These efforts, he said, are essential for achieving equitable outcomes in climate action.

Outlining Azerbaijan’s energy strategy, Shahbazov stated, “The goal is to increase the share of renewable energy in the energy mix to 35.5 per cent by 2030 and at least 40 per cent by 2035.” He also detailed several transformative green energy projects that aim to link Europe and Asia through robust energy corridors.

“Projects of ‘green’ energy corridors connecting Europe and Asia are currently underway,” Shahbazov explained. “The Caspian-Black Sea-Europe, Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Europe, and Central Asia-Azerbaijan green energy corridors, based on the 157 GW wind energy potential of the Caspian Sea and the green energy potential of Central Asia, will connect the energy networks of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary.”

He emphasized the vast opportunities these projects offer for collaboration. “These projects offer German and European companies unique opportunities for cooperation. German companies are leaders in the energy sector and can be important partners for us, especially in wind energy. In addition, there are opportunities for cooperation in the production of green hydrogen and its export to Germany and other European countries. We invite German companies to evaluate all these opportunities.”

Shahbazov concluded by stressing the strategic importance of this collaboration. “Such a partnership will also be useful in terms of strengthening Europe’s energy security and opening up new markets,” he said, emphasizing that cooperation between Azerbaijan and German firms could drive mutual benefits and address critical energy challenges.

By Tamilla Hasanova