(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Nazrin Abdul
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Today, Azerbaijan is prioritizing the attainment of a clean
environment and the Promotion of "green development." Harmonizing
national environmental policies with global best practices is
crucial in this endeavor. Azerbaijan's upcoming hosting of the 29th
session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in November underscores its
commitment to this alignment.
The designation of 2024 as the "Year of Solidarity for the Green
World" by the President of Azerbaijan builds upon the country's
strategy for transitioning to a green economy. COP29 presents an
opportunity for Azerbaijan to adopt strategies aimed at mitigating
environmental impact and integrating best practices in addressing
climate change.
Baku Energy Week, a significant event in the regional energy
sector, is scheduled from June 4-6. This annual gathering, which
amalgamates three pivotal events, serves as a platform for global
energy industry leaders.
During his address at the opening ceremony of the 29th
International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition - "Caspian Oil & Gas,"
and the 12th International Caspian Energy and Green Energy
Exhibition - "Caspian Power," within the framework of Baku Energy
Week, President Ilham Aliyev announced ambitious renewable energy
targets. He stated, "By the end of 2027, we will achieve 2
gigawatts of renewable energy. This is a tangible goal and just the
beginning."
As outlined in the "Socio-economic Development Strategy of the
Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026," Azerbaijan aims to increase
the share of renewable energy sources in electricity production to
24% by 2026 and 30% by 2030.
Azerbaijan's commitment to the green energy economy is
demonstrated through tangible initiatives. The country targets a
35% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and a 40%
reduction by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. Aligned with the
nation's socio-economic development priorities, there is a
concerted effort to leverage renewable energy sources and expand
the adoption of "green" technologies.
By 2030, Azerbaijan plans to implement renewable energy projects
with a capacity of 7 gigawatts, with 5 gigawatts earmarked for
export.
President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the significant hydroelectric
potential in the liberated Garabagh and East Zangazur regions. He
emphasized, "Since liberating these areas in November 2020, we have
already commissioned 270 megawatts of hydropower plants. Within
three to five years, we will increase this capacity to 500
megawatts. Therefore, 1 gigawatt of renewable energy will enable us
to save 500 million cubic meters of gas, meeting the needs of
international markets."
This proactive approach underscores Azerbaijan's commitment to
environmental stewardship and sustainable development, positioning
the country as a key player in the global transition to renewable
energy.
Azerbaijani economist and MP Vugar Bayramov, in his comment to
Azernews , emphasized the critical demand for both
conventional and sustainable energy sources from Azerbaijan in
international markets, notably within the European Union.
"Considering that after the Russia-Ukraine war, Azerbaijan made
a significant contribution to the formation of the energy security
of the European Union, and in a short time, Azerbaijan's blue gas
exports to Europe increased to 12 billion cubic meters. In 2027,
Azerbaijan intends to transport 20 billion cubic meters of blue gas
to Europe annually. Currently, there is an increase in the number
of countries that want to buy blue gas from Azerbaijan, and a
significant part of these countries are located on the European
continent," V. Bayramov said.
According to the expert, as a result, the number of countries
willing to purchase blue gas from Azerbaijan has increased. He
emphasized that the European Union is interested in strengthening
cooperation with Azerbaijan in the field of green energy in
addition to traditional gas purchases.
"An agreement on this has already been signed. According to that
agreement, Azerbaijan will export its green energy to Europe
through Georgia and the Black Sea. Therefore, the cooperation
segment is expanding both by countries and by products," the
econimist added.
It is worth recalling that Azerbaijan, alongside Georgia,
Romania, and Hungary, inked a Memorandum of Understanding in
Bucharest to establish a joint venture facilitating the
transmission of "green energy" from the Caspian Sea to Europe.
Furthermore, on December 17, 2022, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania,
and Hungary signed an agreement to lay an electric cable from
Georgia's Black Sea coast to Romania's Black Sea coast. This
initiative entails constructing a 1,195-kilometer power
transmission line between Georgia and Romania, with a capacity of
up to a thousand megawatts, and extending a digital connecting
cable. The objective is to facilitate the transmission of "green"
electricity generated in Azerbaijan through Georgia and the Black
Sea to Romania and subsequently to other European regions.
In endorsing this agreement, the President of the European
Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, affirmed that it would deepen the
European Union's ties with South Caucasus partners and accelerate
the transition to clean energy in the region. She lauded the
agreement's robust emphasis on renewable energy integration,
underscoring the necessity for robust electricity interconnectors.
Von der Leyen highlighted the significance of the forthcoming power
line project spanning the Black Sea between Romania, Georgia, and
Azerbaijan as a pivotal and ambitious undertaking.
Regarding the issue, Vugar Bayramov mentioned that the
development of renewable energy sectors in Azerbaijan will
contribute to reducing reliance on blue gas and thus create more
opportunities for gas transportation to Europe.
"Because Azerbaijan's domestic consumption of blue gas is high,
approximately 13 billion cubic meters annually. Expanding the use
of renewable energy sources implies a reduction in reliance on blue
gas, facilitating its transportation to Europe and increasing
foreign currency inflows into the country," he said.
The expert also emphasized that transitioning to green energy
will benefit Azerbaijan's economy.
"The transition to green energy is crucial for Azerbaijan not
only in terms of increasing state revenues but also in boosting
exports on one hand, and fostering cooperation between Azerbaijan
and regional countries, including the European Union, on the
other," V. Bayramov added.
Azerbaijan, recognizing the significance of both traditional and
renewable energy resources, has placed a significant emphasis on
developing its renewable energy sector, driven by its substantial
potential.
Extensive research efforts are underway nationwide to identify
and prioritize areas abundant in renewable energy sources.
Azerbaijan stands out among nations with its remarkable potential
in this field. Estimates suggest that the technical potential for
renewable energy stands at 135 gigawatts on land and 157 gigawatts
at sea.
The economic potential is equally impressive, reaching 27
gigawatts, which includes 3,000 megawatts of wind energy, 23,000
megawatts of solar energy, and 380 megawatts of bioenergy.
Additionally, mountainous rivers boast a potential of 520
megawatts. Azerbaijan has already made strides in utilizing wind
energy, with growing interest in this sector. The wind energy
potential in Azerbaijan is estimated at 800 MW, with full
utilization capable of saving 20% of the energy currently
produced.
The Absheron Peninsula, Caspian Sea coastal areas, and the
Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic are particularly favorable for wind
energy production. Preliminary studies indicate that mountainous
regions like Lachin and Kalbajar could generate up to 2000 MW of
wind energy.
Furthermore, the hydroelectric power sector holds immense
promise. As of 2020, hydroelectric power plants accounted for 43%
of the installed capacity of renewable energy plants globally,
producing approximately 71% of all renewable electricity.
Considering that 25% of Azerbaijan's local water resources
originate in Karabakh, rivers such as Tartar, Bazarchay, and
Hekari, along with their tributaries, offer significant potential
for electricity generation.
Azerbaijan's ambitious plans include the construction and
operation of 30 small hydroelectric power stations in the liberated
territories. Groundbreaking ceremonies for projects like the
"Malıbey" small hydroelectric power station in Kalbajar and Lachin
regions signify progress in this endeavor.
In a notable collaboration, Azerbaijan Investment Company OJSC,
along with Turkiye's Demirören Yatırım Holding A.Ş. and "Arges
Enerji Team" LLC, is set to operate five small hydropower plants on
the Hekari and Tartar rivers. With a total cost of 25 million
manats, these stations, totaling 13.8 MW in capacity, are expected
to commence full operation by 2025, creating 25 new jobs.
The project includes the construction of "Malıbey" (5.1 MW),
"Galacha 2" (3.4 MW), "Minkend" (1.8 MW), "Galacha 1," and "Tarter
1" small hydroelectric power stations, contributing significantly
to Azerbaijan's renewable energy portfolio.
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