2024-02-21 10:24:20
Source: Trend International Information Agency
A joint venture on the Azerbaijan-Europe green corridor will be created in the near future with the participation of transmission system operators from four countries.
As Day.Az reports, the director of the Azerbaijan State Agency for Renewable Energy Sources, Javid Abdullayev, said this in an exclusive interview with Trend.
“The selection of a consulting company for the project of exporting green energy from Azerbaijan to Europe along the bottom of the Black Sea was completed at the end of last year, and a contract with this company was signed at the beginning of this year. Research on the project will be carried out during this year. Work on “The feasibility study for the part running under the Black Sea is nearing completion. Later, a feasibility study will be prepared by Azerbaijan regarding the supply of green energy from the Caspian Sea to Europe. A joint venture is planned to be created in the first half of this year,” – he noted.
Abdullaev mentioned that Bulgaria is also showing serious interest in the project.
“Within the framework of this project, negotiations are underway on the transfer of green energy from Central Asian countries to Europe along the bottom of the Caspian Sea. Flows can go in both directions. We expect the activation of mechanisms in this direction; similar studies will begin this year,” he emphasized .
At the same time, according to the director of the agency, important steps have been taken to export green energy from Nakhchivan to Turkey.
“The formation of technical specifications for the project is expected in the near future. We are considering all possible route options within the framework of this project. Research can be completed within six months or one year,” he added.
Auctions for green energy projects
According to Abdullaev, the use of renewable energy sources includes two areas: efficient use of land and strengthening of network infrastructure, as well as proper use of its capabilities.
“In accordance with the decisions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan, last year two land plots were allocated for renewable energy projects. This year we will witness an acceleration of this process. Research and analysis of sites for renewable energy projects have been completed. At this stage, work is underway to submit proposals . In the near future, it is planned to allocate several more areas for renewable energy projects. After this, the process of selecting a manufacturer in these areas will begin. This will be done through auctions, and if the project is of strategic importance, with the direct involvement of companies. Auctions will be announced in the second quarter of this year , and the winning companies will be determined by the end of 2024,” he said.
The agency’s director also mentioned that studies on the network were completed last year with the involvement of consulting companies.
“By 2027, we will be able to integrate up to two gigawatts of renewable energy sources into the grid. This year, a number of groundbreaking ceremonies for renewable energy projects and the announcement of new projects in this area are expected,” Abdullayev emphasized.
Green Energy Zones
Abdullayev said that work on creating green energy zones is being carried out in two directions: in the territories liberated from occupation and in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
“Currently, negotiations are underway with investors regarding the development of green energy in Nakhchivan; there has been significant progress in identifying land areas. Our main goal is to prepare a conceptual document for the formation of a green energy zone in these territories. Mainly, production projects will be implemented here solar energy ACWA Power, Masdar and the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) are conducting studies on a 500 megawatt project, AZ Czech Engineering signed a document on a 500 megawatt project, TotalEnergies, Nobel Energy also signed a document on a green energy project here. Turkish companies are also interested in these projects in Nakhchivan,” he said.
Solar power plant “Shafag”
Speaking about the work on the project for the construction of the Shafag solar power station (Sunrise), implemented by bp in Jebrail, the director of the agency said that schemes have been agreed upon according to which the station will be connected to the network.
“Draft documents that will be signed within the framework of this project have been prepared, an international legal consultant has been hired. It is expected that the documents (investment agreement, energy purchase and sale agreement) will be signed in the first half of the year,” he noted.
Hydrogen production and export
Abdullayev emphasized that working groups on hydrogen production have been created in Azerbaijan.
“SOCAR is also involved in this activity. Hydrogen production will be one of the priority topics that will be discussed at the COP29 conference in Baku. Projects in this area are currently being prepared. Foreign companies are actively making proposals for the production of “green” hydrogen in Azerbaijan.
We determine ways to implement these projects in the most optimal form. Regarding the export of hydrogen from Azerbaijan, four directions can be considered: supply of the hydrogen mixture through the Southern Gas Corridor; construction of a separate pipeline for hydrogen export; installation of electrolyzers in areas close to European countries to produce hydrogen from green energy exported from Azerbaijan; export of products made from hydrogen. Leading global companies are coming up with innovative proposals for hydrogen exports. These proposals are currently being assessed,” he said.
The director of the agency also noted that the announcement of 2024 as the “Year of Solidarity for the Green World” in Azerbaijan indicates that there will be more serious progress in the implementation of green energy projects.