Minister: Azerbaijan develops green energy to become country of green growth

Azerbaijan is developing green energy to ensure the energy security of its partners and become a country of green growth with a clean environment by 2030, Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said.

The minister made the remarks at the session on the topic "Regional development in the field of renewable energy sources: alternative ways to ensure energy security" at the Astana International Forum, Report informs.

According to the minister, one of the sources of additional gas supplies from Azerbaijan to European countries in accordance with the renewed strategic energy partnership with the European Union is precisely green energy.

“The wide use of renewable energy sources allows Azerbaijan to be both an exporter of green energy and increase export opportunities due to gas savings in large volumes,” he noted.

The event continued with panel discussions.

Companies from Kazakhstan and countries represented at the event were invited to participate in green energy and energy transition projects in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan has already adopted the Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and is currently developing a five-year RES strategy for 2022-2026.

The alternative energy potential of the liberated territories of Azerbaijan includes almost all types of renewable energy sources, including hydro, solar, wind, and geothermal.

The Fuzuli, Jabrayil, and Zangilan districts come in at number two after the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for their rich solar power resources. The solar radiation per square meter in these districts is reportedly amounted to 1600-1700 kWh per year, while the total solar energy potential is estimated at 7,200 megawatts.

The Azerbaijani government has identified the transformation of the country’s Karabakh region into a green energy zone as a priority within the ongoing reconstruction and development projects.

Four small hydroelectric power plants have been put into operation in the liberated lands so far, and five more with the capacity of 25-30 MW will be operational soon. The goal of the Azerbaijani government is to transform the region fully into a green energy zone by 2050, as well as reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 40 per cent.