Azerbaijan takes Armenia to Hague court for exploitation of energy resources during occupation

On November 19, 2024, the Azerbaijan government filed a Statement of Claim with the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, accusing Armenia of multiple breaches of Azerbaijan’s sovereign rights over its energy resources under the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) and international law.  

This legal action marks a significant step in the arbitration proceedings that began on February 27, 2023, when Azerbaijan issued a Notice of Arbitration to Armenia. The arbitral tribunal was constituted on September 8, 2023, followed by the first procedural meeting on January 12, 2024, Caliber.Az reports, citing Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry press release. 

The Statement of Claim highlights Armenia’s exploitation of Azerbaijan’s energy resources during its nearly 30-year illegal occupation of internationally recognized Azerbaijani territories.

“During its nearly thirty-year illegal occupation of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized territory, Armenia prevented Azerbaijan from accessing or developing its energy resources in that territory. Instead, it exploited those resources for Armenia’s own benefit,” the statement says.  

Through the Statement of Claim, Azerbaijan also emphasized Armenia’s obstruction of renewable energy projects in the occupied regions. The projects in question include the Tartar Hydropower Plant on the Sarsang Reservoir in the Aghdara district, as well as the Khudafarin and Giz Galasi hydropower projects in the Jabrayil district. 

“Crucial among Armenia’s breaches of international law is its refusal to allow Azerbaijan to access or benefit from significant renewable energy projects for decades,” the document states.  

The statement reads that Armenia unlawfully integrated the Tartar Hydropower Plant into its domestic electricity network and used the surplus energy for its own needs.

Furthermore, the Azerbaijani government also asserts that Armenia’s actions delayed critical hydropower projects for 30 years. 

“Armenia also licensed and regulated the entities that operated the Tartar Hydropower Plant, unlawfully plugging this energy source into its domestic electricity network and directing surplus energy to Armenia for domestic energy consumption. Further, Armenia barred Azerbaijan from accessing the Khudafarin and Giz Galasi project sites, delaying the completion of these critical hydropower projects by 30 years,” the statement elaborates.  

Moreover, Azerbaijan has reiterated its commitment to seeking justice for the violations of its rights and resources. 

“Azerbaijan will continue to seek redress for Armenia’s violations of Azerbaijan’s sovereign rights over its energy resources, including Armenia’s unlawful exploitation and impairment of renewable resources in the liberated territories,” the government affirmed.  

By Khagan Isayev