The 29th COP Summit is expected to be held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, from November 11-22, 2024. This summit, anticipated to be the largest international event in Azerbaijan’s history, is highly expected to see the Baku Government announce its national roadmap on global green energy transition and the growing issue of climate change.[i]
As a result of the global mechanisms being affected by the rising crises after 2021, the implementation of green energy transition and climate change policies is increasingly delayed. However, despite the negative effects of each crisis period, it also periodically creates opportunities to increase regional cooperation and opens the door to practices that benefit regional countries. An example of this argument is the reflection of the allied relations between Azerbaijan and Türkiye in all areas.
Türkiye and Azerbaijan are already working on completing the integration of energy infrastructures through Nakhchivan and carrying out energy exports.[ii] Following Azerbaijan’s victory in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, partial peace in the region, influenced by Türkiye, has paved the way for progress in many sectors, especially energy.
In recent days, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, has shared statements with the public about the implementation of multiple projects, including the Zangezur Corridor.[iii] Shahbazov emphasized that Azerbaijan’s goal to establish a renewable energy-based production facility with a 1-gigawatt capacity in Nakhchivan aims to supply energy to the Turkish market. Highlighting the energy sector as a vital area of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, Shahbazov also noted that these two countries contribute significantly to the energy security of the region and Europe.
Investments like the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum Natural Gas Pipeline, and the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) contribute to regional supply security. Azerbaijan plans to export more than 70% of its green energy capacity by 2030 and aims to establish green energy corridors such as the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe, Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Europe, and Azerbaijan-Central Asia-Europe routes.
At the core of Azerbaijan’s policies, which also center on Türkiye, is the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of the EU-Azerbaijan Green Energy Advisory Council held on March 4, 2024. During this meeting, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the European energy sector, represented especially by WindEurope, and Azerbaijan, under the leadership of Kadri Simson, took the process to a new level.[iv] Azerbaijan’s strategy of basing its relations with EU countries on energy diplomacy makes these relations more permanent and concrete.
At the meeting of energy ministers of the Organization of Turkic States held in Bishkek on September 16, 2024, new energy corridors were designed among member countries, and a roadmap for integration and energy exports, focusing on all states from Asia to Europe, was created. The Caspian-Black Sea-Europe, Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Europe Green Energy Corridors are seen as likely future energy projects.[v]
In addition to its existing fossil fuel reserves, Azerbaijan’s geographical location provides the country with diverse and fertile areas for renewable energy. Azerbaijan has significant solar energy potential. According to data from the Ministry of Energy, the country’s technical solar energy potential is around 23,000 MW. Receiving between 2,400 and 3,200 hours of sunlight annually, Azerbaijan is quite efficient when compared to international standards. Additionally, the country’s solar radiation intensity is around 1,500 to 2,000 kWh/m².[vi] The most efficient solar resources are located in the central river valleys, as well as the northern and northwestern regions.
Azerbaijan stands out as a particularly windy country, especially along the shores of the Caspian Sea.[vii] The Ministry of Energy has identified the country’s technical wind energy potential as 3,000 MW. Of this potential, 800 MW is economically viable, capable of generating 2.4 TWh of energy annually and saving 1 million tons of conventional fuel, thereby reducing CO2 emissions. The Absheron Peninsula, in particular, has an average annual wind speed of 7.9 to 8.1 meters per second. The overall average wind speed in the country is around 6 m/s, which strengthens its economic and technical potential.
Hydropower is currently Azerbaijan’s largest renewable energy source, but it has not yet reached its full potential. The Ministry of Energy states that the country’s small hydropower potential is 520 MW, which could generate 3.2 TWh of energy annually. The Renewable Energy Agency, under the Ministry of Energy, reports that Azerbaijan’s geothermal energy potential is 800 MW. The country has 11 geothermal areas with water temperatures ranging from 30°C to 100°C, which can be used for electricity generation or heating. In the Guba region, water temperatures range from 36°C to 85°C, while in the Kura-Aras basin, they can reach up to 95°C.[viii]
By investing in renewable energy projects, Azerbaijan can strongly demonstrate its goal of becoming not only a fossil fuel supplier but also a green energy provider, thereby creating an impactful international image. For instance, projects focused on wind and solar energy potential can contribute to Europe’s renewable energy targets. This situation allows Azerbaijan to gain a more sustainable image in the global energy transition and take on an active role in environmental diplomacy. Integration with Europe in the energy sector may also help Azerbaijan gain the EU’s support in regional issues, such as the situation in the Karabakh region. Europe’s dependence on Azerbaijan for energy security could lead the EU to adopt policies that support the country’s territorial integrity and regional stability. This, in turn, could strengthen Azerbaijan’s position on the international stage.
[i] “What is COP29?”, COP29, https://cop29.az/en/pages/what-is-cop29, (Access Date: 27.09.2024).
[ii] “Nahçıvan’dan Türkiye’ye Elektrik” T.C. Enerji ve Tabii Kaynaklar Bakanlığı, https://enerji.gov.tr/haber-detay?id=21236, (Access Date: 26.09.2024).
[iii] “Azerbaijan, Türkiye exploring feasibility of green energy corridor”, AA Energy Terminal, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/energy/electricity/azerbaijan-turkiye-exploring-feasibility-of-green-energy-corridor/43600, (Access Date: 25.09.2024).
[iv] “EU steps up renewable energy cooperation with Azerbaijan”, European Commission, https://energy.ec.europa.eu/news/eu-steps-renewable-energy-cooperation-azerbaijan-2024-03-04_en, (Access Date: 27.09.2024).
[v] “Azerbaijan and Turkic States advance green energy initiatives and regional cooperation.”, Azer News, https://www.azernews.az/analysis/231332.html, (Access Date: 27.09.2024).
[vi] Global Solar Atlas, https://globalsolaratlas.info/en, (Access Date: 27.09.2024).
[vii] Global Wind Atlas, https://globalwindatlas.info/en, (Access Date: 27.09.2024).
[viii] “Azerbaijan Energy Profile- Energy System Transformation”, IEA, https://www.iea.org/reports/azerbaijan-energy-profile/energy-system-transformation, (Access Date: 27.09.2024).
