Minister: Azerbaijan sets ambitious 2030 renewable energy goals

Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov has outlined the country’s ambitious plans to significantly increase its renewable energy capacity as part of its long-term strategy for sustainable growth.

Speaking at the COP29 ministerial dialogue on expanding investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency, Shahbazov emphasized Azerbaijan’s commitment to becoming a key player in green energy, not only regionally but globally, by 2030, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Shahbazov highlighted that Azerbaijan is set to commission 2,250 MW of solar and wind power plants by 2030, a move that will increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix to 35.5%. “This is not only an update of our target to 30%, but means increasing the share of solar and wind energy in our energy system by more than 7 times,” he stated. “In 2030, Azerbaijan will make a significant contribution to the transition to green energy and fulfil global commitments, both for itself and for countries across a wide geography from Asia to Europe.”

He also noted the challenges ahead, despite the global progress in renewable energy. "Last year's record results — 473 GW of new renewable energy capacity installed and $570 billion in investments — are a good start," he explained. "However, these figures need to be more than doubled, and investments in energy efficiency need to be increased by about 7 times for the transition to green energy."

According to Shahbazov, meeting these goals will require substantial investments in modernizing energy infrastructure, expanding grids, increasing energy storage capacity, and boosting energy efficiency measures. "This requires attracting a total of USD 31.5 trillion in the energy transition until 2030,” he said. “Even if all existing national ambitions are fully realized, we will still be 30% behind our 2030 targets. This is an important warning to us — we must step up our global efforts and raise our ambitions to accelerate the energy transition.”

The Energy Minister also stressed the importance of global collaboration and support for key initiatives. “It is therefore critical that the COP29 Chairmanship supports, along with funding, the Green Energy Zones and Corridors Commitment, the Global Energy Storage and Grid Commitment, and the Hydrogen Declaration,” he said, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to meet the urgent energy challenges ahead.

Azerbaijan’s strategic vision for 2030 aims to position the country as a major supplier of green electricity and gases, contributing significantly to the global transition to clean energy and reinforcing its role in the fight against climate change.

By Tamilla Hasanova