Diplomatic World Sweden: Azerbaijan emerges as Europe’s trusted energy partner

Diplomatic World Sweden has published a comprehensive article focusing on the 30th edition of the Baku Energy Forum, which took place from June 2 to 4 as part of the broader Baku Energy Week.

The article presents Azerbaijan’s energy evolution as a compelling example of national transformation, tracing the country’s journey from a devastated post-Soviet republic to a central energy partner for Europe, Caliber.Az reports, referring to domestic media.

A central part of the article is devoted to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s speech at the forum, which the authors describe as particularly impactful. President Aliyev recalled the country’s dire condition in the 1990s, when inflation soared to 1,000 per cent, poverty was pervasive, and hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis suffered from ethnic cleansing. The article emphasises that these historical hardships make the scale of Azerbaijan’s subsequent transformation all the more remarkable.

The authors highlight the country’s significant strides in the natural gas sector. Azerbaijan now exports natural gas to 12 countries. In 2023 alone, it delivered 25 billion cubic meters of gas, and by 2030, it aims to expand this capacity by another 8 billion cubic meters.

The article also details Azerbaijan’s growing focus on renewable energy. The country is currently constructing 6.5 gigawatts of new renewable energy capacity—primarily from solar and wind—which will represent around 35 per cent of its total energy mix once completed. The authors underscore that this shift positions Azerbaijan not just as a fossil fuel supplier, but as a dynamic innovator in the energy sector.

A key feature of the piece is the Southern Gas Corridor, the 3,500-kilometre pipeline system linking the Caspian region with European energy markets. The article describes the corridor as not only an engineering success but also a significant geopolitical achievement, reinforcing Azerbaijan’s role in strengthening Europe’s energy security.

The publication notes growing international interest in Azerbaijan’s renewable energy sector, particularly in offshore wind development in the Caspian Sea. Major energy firms from Finland and Norway have shown strong interest, driven, the article stresses, not by charity or aid, but by recognition of Azerbaijan’s technological and investment potential.

In its concluding remarks, the article asserts that Azerbaijan now holds a firm and influential position in Europe’s energy landscape. Rather than merely following trends, the country is shaping them. The authors frame Azerbaijan’s story as a powerful example of how visionary leadership, strategic investment, and commitment to sustainability can transform a nation and secure its place on the global stage.

By Tamilla Hasanova