(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Sabina Mammadli read more An interdepartmental working group on hydrogen has been
established in Azerbaijan in order to conduct research and prepare
proposals for the production of hydrogen in the country, Deputy
Director of Azerbaijan's State Agency on Alternative and Renewable
Energy Sources Kamran Huseynov said.
He made the remark at the panel discussion themed 'Hydrogen as a
Tool for the Transition to Clean Energy' as part of the 'Green
Hydrogen: Path to Decarbonization' seminar.
The official noted that the working group collaborated with the
European Bank for Development and Reconstruction (EBRD) to develop
a study on the topic 'Assessment of Potential for a Low-Carbon
Hydrogen Economy in Azerbaijan'. Thus, in January last year, a
kick-off meeting was held with a consultant selected by the EBRD,
during which a project plan was presented to interested parties, he
added.
Besides, Huseynov stated that Azerbaijan is working on four more
bills of the draft law on electricity production.
'They are related to supporting mechanisms for the participation
of active producers, the issuance of certificates for the
production of renewable energy and information systems for
renewable energy sources. These bills have been prepared and are
currently being approved by the Cabinet of Ministers,' he said.
The deputy director also highlighted that leveled cost of green
hydrogen (LCOH) in Azerbaijan can be competitive with other markets
given the relatively low cost of renewable energy production. He
added that the Southern Gas Corridor can be used to deliver
hydrogen mixed with natural gas to energy markets.
According to the official, another option for supplying green
hydrogen can be an autonomous H2 pipeline.
“The production and export of green ammonia and green hydrogen
can also be considered as an option, taking into account rail and
pipeline links with other countries,' Huseynov said.
The official of the agency underlined that Azerbaijan Renewable
Energy Agency was established in accordance with presidential
decree dated September 22, 2020.
“The main objectives of the agency are to increase the share of
renewable energy sources within the installed electricity
generation capacity up to 30 percent by 2030, to transform the
liberated territories into the 'Green Energy' Zone, and to ensure
the participation of the private sector in this area,” he
stressed.
Speaking at the event, Director of the Azerbaijan Renewable
Energy Agency (AREA) under Energy Ministry Javid Abdullayev
emphasized that the green energy production potential in Azerbaijan
is about 200 GW.
Abdullayev then noted that Azerbaijan intends to increase the
share of renewable energy in electricity generation to 30 percent
by 2030.
'The agreement signed last December between Azerbaijan, Georgia,
Hungary, and Romania will allow supplying up to four gigawatts of
green energy to Europe,' the official said.
Moreover, Director of Masdar Azerbaijan Murad Sadikhov stated
that the company plans to implement various projects in
Azerbaijan.
In particular, he noted that the company plans to implement a 1
GW onshore wind project by 2026, a 2 GW offshore wind project, and
a green hydrogen project by 2033, and further expand the use of
solar, onshore, and offshore wind by 2037.
'In 2022, Masdar and Azerbaijan's Energy Ministry signed an
agreement on the development and investment in renewable energy
sources. Also in 2022, the parties signed an implementation
agreement that covers a number of offshore wind energy projects and
green hydrogen production,' he said.
He also added that the company signed an agreement with SOCAR to
explore the potential for electrification of their offshore oil and
gas facilities in the Caspian Sea using offshore wind power.
---
Sabina Mammadli is AzerNews' staff journalist, follow her on
Twitter: @sabinammdl