BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 4. Azerbaijan has
become a significant player in ensuring both regional and global
energy security, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.


"The country’s rich Caspian resources, consistent and pragmatic
energy policy, diversified export routes, and strategic
partnerships with Europe have strengthened its role in the energy
sector. Meetings of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) and Green
Energy Advisory Councils at the Baku Congress Center demonstrated
that Azerbaijan is not only an energy producer but also a reliable
supplier and regional energy hub.


The Southern Gas Corridor occupies a special place on Europe’s
energy map. Through this corridor, Azerbaijani gas is transported
via Georgia and Turkey to Europe. Key components of the project,
the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) and the
Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), provide direct access from the South
Caucasus to Europe’s energy system. In recent years, the geographic
reach of gas exports has expanded, and as President Ilham Aliyev
noted, ‘Now the number of countries where Azerbaijani gas has
reached its consumers has reached 16.’ This figure reflects the
tangible results of Azerbaijan’s energy diplomacy and technical
capabilities.


Currently, Azerbaijani gas reaches ten member states of the
European Union (EU). The inclusion of Germany and Austria in the
supply network has further increased Azerbaijan’s role in Europe’s
energy balance. As the head of state emphasized, 'And by this
number, Azerbaijan is number one in the world with respect to the
number of countries it supplies with pipeline gas.' This is not
only a statistical advantage but also an indicator of reliability,”
Garayev said.


According to him, Azerbaijan’s gas potential is primarily formed
by the Shah Deniz, Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli, Absheron, and Umid
fields.


“In the coming years, an additional 10-15 billion cubic meters
of gas production is expected from these fields. However, increased
production also necessitates the expansion of existing
infrastructure. President Ilham Aliyev highlighted this point,
‘Because today the Southern Gas Corridor is already fully packed.’
This reality makes the development of new interconnectors and
transmission lines a strategic priority,” he said.


Garayev also highlighted that Azerbaijan occupies a pivotal role
in the oil export sector.


“Through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, Caspian oil
reaches the Mediterranean and, from there, global markets.
Azerbaijani oil is primarily exported to European countries,
including Italy, Türkiye, Israel, Germany, the United Kingdom,
France, and Spain, as well as to Asian markets. Italy has remained
the largest buyer of Azerbaijani oil for many years. Overall,
Azerbaijani oil reaches dozens of countries, with Europe as the
main market. The country has also expanded its transit function,
handling the transport of Kazakh and Turkmen oil and additional
volumes from the eastern Caspian shores, demonstrating that
Azerbaijan has become a regional energy hub. This plays a crucial
role in ensuring secure and uninterrupted energy flows across the
Eurasian space.


Energy cooperation with the EU has reached a strategic level.
Dan Jørgensen, the EU Commissioner for Energy, emphasized at the
Baku meeting that Azerbaijani gas remains a key pillar of Europe’s
energy security. Against the backdrop of Europe’s recent
diversification of energy sources, Azerbaijan has acted as a stable
and predictable partner. Compliance with contractual obligations,
political stability, and a long-term energy strategy are the main
factors strengthening this trust," the analyst noted.


The analyst also highlighted that Azerbaijan is actively
pursuing an energy transition.


“Wind and solar power plants implemented with ACWA Power and
Masdar are increasing the share of renewable sources in the
country’s energy balance. By 2032, six to eight gigawatts of
renewable energy production are planned, which will reduce domestic
gas consumption and expand export potential. President Ilham Aliyev
emphasized, ‘The combination of fossil fuels and renewables, and
especially appreciation of the efforts of countries like
Azerbaijan—which has reserves that can be enough for the country
and its neighbors for 100 years of fossil fuels, but nevertheless
is investing billions in renewables—I think this is how it should
be.’ This approach demonstrates that Azerbaijan’s energy policy is
based on balanced and pragmatic principles,” Garayev said.


He mentioned that Azerbaijan today is not just a gas exporter to
16 countries and a supplier to ten EU member states, but also an
oil exporter to a multitude of nations.


“The country has simultaneously become a regional transit hub
and is advancing its green energy transition. All of these factors
underline Azerbaijan’s strategic and long-term significance in
ensuring energy security in Europe and the broader Eurasian
region,” Garayev concluded.


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