BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. Azerbaijan
plans to commission up to 3 additional renewable energy plants by
the end of the year, Director of the Azerbaijan Renewable Energy
Agency under the Ministry of Energy, Javid Abdullayev, told
Trend in an
exclusive interview during a media tour of the Gobustan solar power
plant.


"We envision the development of renewable energy sources in
Azerbaijan proceeding in three stages. The first stage concludes at
the end of 2027, and by its completion, we aim to have commissioned
approximately two gigawatts of renewable energy capacity," he
said.


According to him, all necessary work for the first stage has
already been carried out, relevant contracts have been signed, and
investors are conducting work at virtually all the sites.


"This facility is the third of the 11 plants we have
commissioned. We expect to bring another 3 plants online by the end
of the year," Abdullayev explained.


He added that the remaining plants are scheduled to be
commissioned in subsequent years as preparations are finalized and
the grid infrastructure is ready to connect them.


"Extensive studies regarding the grid are underway. Significant
progress has been made here as well, and we plan to share the
results of these studies soon—tentatively at the end of this month
or the beginning of the next. These results will help determine
what portion of the solar and wind facilities to be commissioned in
the second stage will connect to Azerbaijan's power grid and what
portion will be designated exclusively for export.


At the same time, we'll obtain comprehensive information on the
grid reinforcement work required for connection, the geographical
distribution of these loads, and the estimated investment needed
for our power system, enabling us to make informed decisions based
on this data," Abdullayev noted. He emphasized that, starting from
the second stage, Azerbaijan must also begin developing capacity to
export electricity via the relevant routes.


"Four interconnectors are currently on the agenda. A preliminary
feasibility study has already been prepared and submitted for one
of them: the Azerbaijan–Georgia–Black Sea–Romania–Hungary route. It
is encouraging that the study demonstrated the route's
attractiveness from both technical and economic perspectives.







Steps are currently being taken to launch the necessary
financial mechanisms to enhance the project's appeal.


As part of these efforts, work is nearing completion on
including this project in the ten-year development plan for the
European energy system. Subsequently, work will proceed toward
securing 'Project of Mutual Interest' or 'Project of Common
Interest' status for the initiative," noted Abdullayev.


He reported that a joint venture involving the transmission
system operators of the four respective countries has been
established for this purpose.


"This entity coordinates all necessary activities on behalf of
each country's grid operators. This will enable us to secure
funding from specific financial institutions on concessional
terms—or, in some instances, even in the form of grants—for such
projects," the agency director said.


Speaking about the third stage, Abdullayev pointed out that it
would require more innovative solutions.


"Azerbaijan is rich in oil, gas, and green energy. We have
always ensured Europe's energy security. Now, we aim to continue
this process through electricity and green energy as well. In the
third stage, leveraging Azerbaijan's potential will foster hydrogen
development, the utilization of other resources, and the
implementation of new technologies.


Furthermore, given the global trend toward digitalization,
facilities such as data centers require significant energy
resources. Consequently, on the demand side, we can anticipate a
substantial rise in the need for the capacity being developed," he
concluded.