BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 20. The Carbamide
plant of Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR has been admitted to
the Global Lighthouse Network of the World Economic Forum and has
also been awarded the Forum’s Digital Lighthouse Award, Trend
reports via SOCAR.


Within the framework of the World Economic Forum, the award was
presented to Mikayil Jabbarov, Chairman of SOCAR’s Supervisory
Board and Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan.


Emphasizing that this achievement is an international
recognition of the successes attained in digitalizing production at
the plant, implementing advanced technologies, and improving energy
efficiency, Chairman of SOCAR’s Supervisory Board and Minister of
Economy Mikayil Jabbarov stated: “SOCAR Carbamide is the first
plant operating in Azerbaijan to receive this award, while SOCAR is
the only energy company in the world to hold three ‘Digital
Lighthouse Award’ distinctions. This achievement is the result of
systematic transformation, innovation, and effective efforts toward
digitalization, as well as the highly efficient integration of
Industry 4.0 technologies into operational processes.”


SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf said: “Being admitted to the
Global Lighthouse Network and receiving the Digital Lighthouse
Award is a strong endorsement of SOCAR’s transformation
agenda—showing how digital technologies, advanced automation and
workforce upskilling can deliver measurable gains in performance
while reducing environmental impact. We will continue scaling these
capabilities across SOCAR to set new benchmarks for safe, efficient
and sustainable operations”.


"As a result of systematic transformation and
innovation-oriented activities carried out over the past three
years, the SOCAR Carbamide has distinguished itself among the
world’s largest and was initially shortlisted among the finalists
in 2025, after which on-site evaluations were conducted by experts
provided by the World Economic Forum, resulting in the plant being
admitted to the Global Lighthouse Network and also being awarded
the Forum’s Digital Lighthouse Award," said SOCAR.







Previously the Digital Lighthouse Award was presented to SOCAR
Petkim Petrochemical Complex and SOCAR STAR refinery. At the same
time, the SOCAR Carbamide is the first facility operating in
Azerbaijan to achieve this distinction. In addition, it is the
world’s first fertilizer plant to be awarded this distinction.


Overall, over the past three years SOCAR has invested in
advanced technologies related to production efficiency, process
safety, and HSE, achieving progress in these areas. In this
context, particular attention has been paid to the management of
complex chemical production processes at the SOCAR Carbamide based
on advanced automation and process control systems. The improvement
of existing automation technologies, the use of artificial
intelligence models, and the continuous development of employees’
digital skills have been expanded.


As a result, alongside an efficient operational process, a smart
plant has been established that is capable of real-time
forecasting, adaptation, and sustainable development. In total, 42
digital and artificial intelligence-based solutions aligned with
the Fourth Industrial Revolution have been implemented at the
plant. The measures taken have ensured closed-loop autonomous
process control and workforce support with generative artificial
intelligence and robotics, increasing productivity by 21% and
natural gas efficiency by 24%. As a result of the transformation,
carbon emissions were reduced by 19%, process waste by 72%, and
unplanned downtime by 82%. In addition, 70% of employees acquired
new skills and underwent upskilling. Furthermore, improvements were
implemented across 41 operational and financial metrics.


The Global Lighthouse Network, established in 2018, is a
platform for companies that best apply Industry 4.0 technologies in
their operations. Companies that effectively use artificial
intelligence and other Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies,
achieve high results in production areas and value chains, increase
operational efficiency through innovative approaches, reduce
environmental impact, and gain the ability to respond more flexibly
to market changes are eligible to join this network. The Global
Lighthouse Network platform provides member organizations with
additional opportunities for experience sharing, meetings, and the
establishment of new partnerships.