2024-06-17 10:32:02
In recent times, Azerbaijan has witnessed vital funding within the growth and rehabilitation of its vitality infrastructure, marking a marked shift in the direction of renewable vitality sources. With rising curiosity in various vitality fields, international corporations, significantly the revered UAE-based MASDAR, have performed a key function in driving this transformation. MASDAR’s unwavering dedication to advancing the idea of fresh vitality in Azerbaijan has performed an vital function in accelerating progress on this sector.
An vital milestone on this cooperation was the profitable operation of the Garadagh solar energy plant (HPP) final yr, marking the start of a brand new period in Azerbaijan’s vitality panorama. It’s noteworthy that GES is the primary energy plant within the nation constructed with vital international funding, which implies a landmark achievement within the growth of renewable vitality in Azerbaijan.
One other affirmation of this partnership was the latest groundbreaking ceremony held on June 4 through the Baku Power Week, the place three formidable initiatives had been initiated in cooperation with MASDAR: the Neftchala and Bilasuvar solar energy vegetation, in addition to the Absheron-Garadagh wind farm. These initiatives, with a mixed put in capability of 1,000 MW, mark a major leap ahead within the growth of Azerbaijan’s renewable vitality potential.
Moreover, as a part of Baku Power Week, key shareholder agreements had been signed between the State Oil Firm of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and MASDAR for 3 renewable vitality ventures overlaying wind and solar energy initiatives throughout Azerbaijan.
In an unique interview with Azernews, Maryam Al Mazrouei, Head of Growth and Funding at MASDAR, particulars the corporate’s imaginative and prescient and strategic initiatives in Azerbaijan, shedding gentle on their joint efforts to drive sustainable vitality growth within the area.
– Azerbaijan occupies a key place as a strategic companion. Final October, we celebrated the opening of the biggest working solar energy plant within the area – the Garadagh Photo voltaic Park, with a capability of 230 megawatts. On the identical time, we entered into an funding settlement for 3 further initiatives, together with two photo voltaic photovoltaic initiatives and one onshore wind challenge. Notably, these agreements and the inauguration ceremony had been marked by the presence of distinguished dignitaries, together with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Trade and Superior Know-how, Chairman of MASDAR and President of COP28.
With regard to the latest announcement of a one-gigawatt challenge, this highlights our profitable partnership with Azerbaijan and our key stakeholders, the Ministry of Power and Azerenergy OJSC. We’re smitten by increasing our presence on this strategic market, as evidenced by our dedication to the Garadagh photo voltaic photovoltaic challenge.
In 2022, we additional strengthened our cooperation by signing two implementation agreements, a serious milestone achieved throughout Baku Power Week within the historic metropolis of Shusha. These agreements cowl a complete 10 gigawatt program with an preliminary section of 4 gigawatts. Yesterday’s groundbreaking occasion, attended by President Ilham Aliyev and the UAE Minister of Trade and Excessive Know-how and Chairman of the Board of Administrators of MASDAR, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, marked the start of this formidable program. Notably, the primary section covers a variety of applied sciences together with photo voltaic photovoltaics, onshore wind, offshore wind and inexperienced hydrogen potential, reflecting our dedication to advancing various renewable vitality options.
– How does MASDAR see its future cooperation and initiatives in Azerbaijan, particularly within the context of the event of renewable vitality sources?
– As you understand, the federal government has set a aim of attaining 30 % renewable vitality by 2030, and MASDAR is totally according to this imaginative and prescient. The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Azerbaijan have a robust relationship that even extends to our management. Our discussions with the Division of Power had been performed on a bilateral foundation, reflecting a collaborative strategy during which we act as one workforce. The truth is, I’ve been privileged to be thought of a part of the Azerbaijani workforce at instances. We imagine that the profitable implementation of renewable vitality initiatives relies on the cooperation between MASDAR, the Ministry of Power and Azerenergo.
Transparency is a cornerstone of our strategy as we attempt to keep up the belief of all stakeholders. It’s price noting that the latest one-gigawatt challenge, particularly the Karadag Initiative, was one hundred pc developed by MASDAR. Nonetheless, we additionally work carefully with our strategic companion SOCAR, which owns shares in these initiatives. This partnership demonstrates our dedication to working hand in hand with native stakeholders to stimulate the event of renewable vitality in Azerbaijan.
– How does MASDAR’s international expertise and data within the area of fresh vitality contribute to partnership with Azerbaijan?
– When discussing MASDAR, you will need to spotlight our in depth expertise as one of many largest clear vitality builders on the earth. With initiatives spanning greater than 40 nations on six continents, now we have established ourselves as leaders on this area. Our portfolio presently consists of 20 gigawatts of renewable vitality capability, together with initiatives in operation, beneath building and within the growth stage.
From MASDAR’s perspective, now we have a transparent mandate to extend the capability of our renewable vitality portfolio to 100 gigawatts by 2030. Azerbaijan occupies a key place for us as a strategic market. Final yr we had been concerned in initiatives with a complete capability of 230 megawatts. This yr, that determine has grown considerably to 1.2 gigawatts, demonstrating our dedication to the nation’s renewable vitality objectives.
We stay dedicated to working carefully with the Ministry of Power and different key stakeholders to develop our presence and contribute to Azerbaijan’s vitality transition. Notably, Azerbaijan has set formidable objectives, aiming not solely to succeed in 30 % renewable vitality by 2030, but in addition to export inexperienced electrical energy to neighboring nations and probably Europe. MASDAR is dedicated to collaborating in these initiatives and collaborating with the Division of Power to help inexperienced vitality exports to neighboring nations as soon as technical feasibility research are accomplished and accomplished.
– What are the broader implications of MASDAR investments and initiatives in Azerbaijan for regional vitality dynamics and sustainable growth efforts?
– When contemplating MASDAR, our mission is to develop renewable vitality initiatives all over the world. We’re very energetic on all six continents, with a regional focus but in addition increasing into different areas. Our core know-how areas embody photo voltaic photovoltaics, onshore wind and offshore wind. Nonetheless, we’re additionally exploring different areas corresponding to waste-to-energy applied sciences, geothermal applied sciences and vitality storage applied sciences corresponding to batteries.
I’d emphasize that we don’t restrict ourselves both in know-how or in nations. Wherever we function, we attempt to develop our presence and actively search alternatives in new markets.