BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 20. The Chinese Datang
Corporation has organized a special training program and technical
visit for specialists from Azerbaijan’s energy sector.
This was announced by the press service of the Ministry of
Energy of Azerbaijan.
According to the Ministry, the two-week program is aimed at
further developing cooperation between Azerbaijan and China in the
energy sector, exchanging expertise on cutting-edge technologies,
and expanding professional networks.
At the opening of the training program, Azerbaijan’s Deputy
Minister of Energy Elnur Soltanov delivered a video address,
welcoming the participants and emphasizing the program’s importance
for the development of Azerbaijani-Chinese cooperation in the
energy sector.
Li Deyong, Vice President of China Datang Overseas Investment,
welcomed the training participants and wished them success in the
program’s implementation.
As part of the program, participants are provided with
presentations and practical information on topics such as wind
energy, hydrogen energy, advanced energy storage systems, including
compressed air energy storage (CAES), integrated “wind-solar-energy
storage” systems, modern high-efficiency gas turbines, conventional
hydroelectric power plants, and pumped-storage hydroelectric power
plants.
An important part of the visit’s program consists of technical
visits to state-of-the-art industrial and energy facilities in
Chengdu and Chongqing. During these visits, Azerbaijani
representatives gain practical experience in the application,
operation, and integration of modern energy technologies into
energy systems.
The delegation includes representatives from the Ministry of
Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the State Agency for
Renewable Energy Sources, OJSC “Azerenergi,” and OJSC
“Azerishig.”
Azerbaijan is implementing large-scale projects to increase
electricity production and diversify its energy system. In
particular, the development of renewable energy sources is one of
the main priorities of the country’s energy strategy. Currently,
the country is implementing large-scale investment projects to
build solar and wind power plants in partnership with bp, Masdar,
ACWA Power, China Gezhouba Group Overseas Investment, SOCAR Green,
and other partners. The implementation of these projects will add
thousands of megawatts of new generating capacity to Azerbaijan’s
energy mix in the coming years, thereby reducing domestic demand
for natural gas and increasing gas exports.
According to Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov, the
implementation of these projects is expected to increase the share
of renewable energy sources in Azerbaijan’s energy mix to
approximately 43% by 2035.
The minister stated that Azerbaijan is implementing strategic
projects aimed at establishing a new energy and investment platform
between Central Asia and neighboring regions. According to him, one
of the main initiatives is the “Central Asia–Azerbaijan Green
Energy Corridor” project. “The creation of the Trans-Caspian Energy
Corridor, which will connect the power grids of Azerbaijan,
Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, is an integral part of our countries’
strategic vision. This project also creates broad opportunities for
the development of the Middle Corridor, which will serve as a green
energy bridge between Europe, Asia, and China via the Caspian Sea,”
Parviz Shahbazov emphasized.
According to the minister, the “Green Corridors Alliance” joint
venture, based in Baku, is already operational and is coordinating
feasibility studies funded by the Asian Development Bank and the
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. In addition,
intensive work is continuing on the “Caspian Sea–Black Sea–Europe”
Green Energy Corridor, as well as on the Azerbaijan–Türkiye–Europe
and Azerbaijan–Georgia–Türkiye–Bulgaria energy interconnections.
Parviz Shahbazov stated that “green energy corridors are shaping
the geo-economic map of the future” and that these initiatives will
stimulate not only energy exports but also the development of
digital communications, fiber-optic infrastructure, and the
regional economy.
Javid Abdullaev, director of the State Agency for Renewable
Energy under the Ministry of Energy, said in an exclusive interview
with Trend that the
country is playing an increasingly important role in building a
“green” energy bridge between Europe and Central Asia.
“Azerbaijan is no longer just an exporter of energy resources,
but also one of the driving forces behind regional energy
partnerships and green energy corridors. The wind and solar energy
projects currently underway will not only strengthen the country’s
energy security but also significantly expand its capacity to
export electricity,” Javid Abdullayev emphasized.
According to him, the Caspian Sea’s enormous wind energy
potential, the construction of new power transmission lines, and
initiatives such as the “Caspian-Black Sea–Europe” green energy
corridor will further strengthen Azerbaijan’s role in Europe’s
energy security. “Green energy projects will not only bring the
country additional export revenues but will also allow us to
optimize the domestic energy balance, reduce natural gas
consumption, and redirect more gas to foreign markets,” he
added.
