(MENAFN- AzerNews)
On June 21, Euronews TV channel aired a report on the 29th
International Caspian Oil & gas exhibition - Caspian Oil & Gas and
the 12th Caspian International Power and Green energy Exhibition -
Caspian Power held as part of the Baku Energy Week at the Baku Expo
Center.
The report also included an interview with President of the
Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
Azernews presents the complete interview.
Correspondent; Mr. President, fantastic to see
you as always, and a very big announcement you made today with
Masdar and His Excellency Sultan Al Jaber. Can you please tell us a
little bit more information about what your plans are?
President Ilham Aliyev: Yes, it is really a
remarkable event, which actually demonstrates our green agenda, and
that Azerbaijan is attractive not only for those who invest in
fossil fuels, but also for those who invest in renewables. Masdar
is our strategic partner in the area of renewable energy. Last
October, we already inaugurated the first solar power station of
230 megawatts, and held today a groundbreaking ceremony for three
solar and wind stations with total capacity of one gigawatt. And
this is only the beginning. Because we plan to implement all the
contracts, MoU's, and that means up to ten gigawatts in mid-term
and up to five gigawatts until 2030. That's our target. Potential
is here you can see the sun the ambition, and the wind. There is
good investment climate. It really demonstrates how a country,
which generated wealth from fossil fuel now, is channeling this
wealth into renewable energy. As a host country of COP29, this is
also our obligation to be among the frontrunners on green
transition.
Correspondent: What are the challenges when you
have traditional energy sector and making that transition into the
new green renewable energy?
President Ilham Aliyev: Well, actually, it is,
as every new endeavor, full of uncertainties. But we have great
partners, Masdar, as I said, is a strategic partner but we have
also ACWA Power, bp among our investors and many more companies
from different countries, which are planning to work with us. So,
in oil and gas, we know the whole alphabet. Here we just start.
Therefore, the challenges could be with national energy grid,
because we need to reinforce it to be able to absorb as much as we
can offer to investors. Another challenge is with respect to the
transmission lines, because here we need to work actively with our
neighbors, because Azerbaijan itself will not need as much
renewable energy as we plan to produce. So, our target is export
and also to have a very sophisticated approach on using renewables
to a maximum degree to produce electricity and saving natural gas,
sending it to those who need it now, primarily in Europe, So, there
are many things which we need to tackle. Those which solely depend
on our internal agenda, I have no doubt, will be fully implemented.
Those which need international partnership, we, of course, need to
work with our partners.
Correspondent: Over 300 representatives from
over 37 countries here at Baku Energy Week. That just goes to show
the commitment of other companies and why this conference is a
global leader within the energy sector. Yes?
President Ilham Aliyev; I think so. Actually,
the fact that it has been 30 years already, and the first was
organized back in 1994. Secondly, if you look at geography of the
countries or number of companies, you will see the growing number
of participants. Not many energy events have an honor to be
addressed by the President of United States. And it has been
throughout all the years of this event and this actually
demonstrates its unique origin and capacity. So, all these actually
make this event, to my mind, the most advanced and the most
inclusive platform to address different issues and the way how it
transformed. The first one was the Caspian oil exhibition. When we
started to produce gas it became the Caspian oil and gas exhibition
and conference. Then, after we started to work on renewables, it
became the Baku energy week, which embraces different segments. So,
in one country, in a relatively short period of time, you can see
success story on every track - natural gas, fuel oil, and now green
energy.
Correspondent: And by your own special decree,
you announced the Green World Solidarity Year, didn't you?
President Ilham Aliyev: Yes, Exactly. And
that's one of our main targets for us as the host country to create
unity and solidarity and to create such a positive atmosphere at
COP and later, after we will continue as a president so that
countries and companies would love to work together and put down
mutual claims, concentrate on main agenda and on how to save the
planet.
Correspondent: Mr. President, it was as always
a pleasure. Thank you. So much.
President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you very
much.
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