2024-10-05 14:41:12
Source: Trend International Information Agency
The Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan is working in two directions to develop the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR) as a “green energy zone”.
As Day.Az reports, Deputy Minister of Energy Orkhan Zeynalov told Trend exclusively about this.
“Firstly, the concept of the “green zone” of the NAR is being prepared, secondly, the potential for the export of “green” energy from the autonomy will be studied in detail. In the second area of work, a contract will be signed in the near future with one of the world’s leading companies to prepare a feasibility study. on the planned export of “green” energy from the NAR to Turkey with the prospect of the second stage of reaching the EU,” Zeynalov said.
According to him, by 2030, the NAR plans to commission 1.5 GW of wind and solar energy capacity.
“As for the export of electricity from the autonomy, we are talking about 1 GW, but all details of export can be reflected in the feasibility study,” Zeynalov emphasized.
It should be noted that Arab and European companies are ready to take part in the creation of renewable energy sources in the NAR, and negotiations are underway with them within the framework of the concept of a “green zone” of autonomy.
The Deputy Minister of Energy also said that another project is being discussed for the export of electricity from Azerbaijan to Turkey – AZURE (Azerbaijan Scaling-Up Renewable Energy Project).
“Together with the World Bank and other potential investors, a project for transporting green energy to Turkey – AZURE (Azerbaijan Scaling-Up Renewable Energy Project) is being discussed,” Zeynalov noted.
Let us remind you that the World Bank, through its structure – the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), announced the possibility of allocating $250 million for “AZURE”, and the situation with the prospect of implementing this project will become clear by the end of October.
According to Zeynalov, other pressing issues for the Ministry of Energy include ensuring safe integration into the internal energy grid of Azerbaijan of the expected new green energy capacities with a total generation of 2 GW by 2027.
“We recently completed a study on the integration of new green energy capacity into the internal grid for 2 GW until 2027. We are now addressing the issue of safe and stable integration of these capacities,” Zeynalov said.
He mentioned that in general the Ministry of Energy is studying international renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 28 GW.
“By 2027, the share of renewable energy sources in the energy balance of Azerbaijan will be 32.6%, in 2030 – 35%. We also see significant technical potential of the Caspian Sea for the creation of wind power plants (WPP). The World Bank estimated it at 157 GW (the second largest potential in the world on wind energy after the North Sea). We have a good foundation for its use, a good legislative framework, and the presence of incentive mechanisms for investors.
It is the future wind farms on the Azerbaijani Caspian shelf that can provide the “green” energy that is planned to be exported through Georgia and the Black Sea to Europe (the “Caspian Sea-Black Sea Energy” project).
We are talking about the “green” corridor “Caspian Sea-Georgia-Black Sea-EU” and the export of 4 GW of “green” energy and hydrogen. Recently, a joint venture was created in Bucharest to implement this project, and a preliminary feasibility study will be presented in November in Baku,” the deputy minister added.
Romania and Hungary have become EU participants in this project, and Bulgaria is preparing to join.