BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 3. Azerbaijan is
working to increase the use of renewable energy sources as part of
the fifth national priority under the Strategy for Socio-Economic
Development for 2022–2026, Fuad Mushtagov, Head of the Hydrogen and
Green Technologies Department at the Renewable Energy Agency (AREA)
under Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Energy, said, Trend's special correspondent
reports.


He made the remark during an online webinar titled “Azerbaijan:
Infrastructure Development, E-Mobility and Renewable Energy Storage
Solutions.”


According to him, the strategy includes the development of
public-private partnerships in renewable energy infrastructure, as
well as the utilization of offshore wind energy potential. “Another
important area is the development of an information system on
renewable energy resources. We are also studying the potential of
bioenergy and green geothermal energy. Renewable energy development
is closely linked to infrastructure and power grid development. The
fifth national priority also covers environmentally friendly
transport and other green technologies. In particular, work is
underway on the preparation of the National Electric Mobility Plan.
We are also exploring the potential for hydrogen production and its
use across various sectors. Another important area is energy
storage. Storage systems can help manage the intermittent nature of
renewable energy,” he said.


Mushtagov noted that Azerbaijan is also studying the possibility
of applying carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS)
technologies in the energy sector. “Thus, our approach is not
limited to renewable electricity. We are also looking at broader
green energy systems. Azerbaijan has significant renewable energy
potential, including both onshore and offshore resources.
Considerable potential also exists in Karabakh, Eastern Zangezur
and Nakhchivan. The key task is to transform this potential into
economically viable projects and integrate them into the energy
system. Based on this potential, Azerbaijan is working on the
strategic expansion of renewable energy. The goal is not only to
build new renewable energy facilities — we also need appropriate
transmission and distribution infrastructure,” Mushtagov said.







He emphasized that renewable energy development should be
accompanied by modernization of power grids and increased
flexibility of the energy system, particularly as the share of
variable renewable energy sources grows.


Mushtagov also spoke about the 230 MW Garadagh Solar Power
Plant. According to him, it is the largest solar power plant in the
Caspian region, with annual electricity generation of around 500
million kWh.


He also highlighted the Khizi-Absheron Wind Power Plant project
with a total capacity of 240 MW. “The power plant is located in the
Khizi and Absheron districts, approximately 45 kilometers northwest
of Baku, and includes 37 turbines. The wind power plant helps save
around 220 million cubic meters of natural gas annually. The
official opening ceremony took place on January 13, 2022,” he
said.