Political Analyst Portrays Azerbaijan's Energy Geography Happenings

"Rich in oil and gas reserves, Azerbaijan is also rapidlyadvancing in alternative and renewable energy sectors, playing acrucial role in reshaping the energy geography. As a reliablepartner for the European Union (EU), Azerbaijan today stands as oneof the leading partners in energy diversification and sustainableenergy supply for the continent. Azerbaijan's main pillar in energy relations with Europe is theSouthern Gas Corridor (SGC).

This massive project is of significantimportance for energy diversification, as it delivers Caspian Seagas through Georgia, Türkiye, and the Balkans to Europe. Over threethousand kilometers long, this corridor carries 10 billion cubicmeters of gas annually to European markets via the Trans-Anatolian(TANAP) and Trans-Adriatic (TAP) pipelines. In the future, the SGCcould transport up to 20 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas toEurope.



Discussions and European interest in this matter have beenrepeatedly expressed,” he said. Garayev noted that a memorandum was signed between Azerbaijanand the EU in 2022 to increase gas exports to 20 billion cubicmeters by 2027. “As President Ilham Aliyev mentioned during the 11th meeting ofthe Southern Gas Corridor Consultative Council and the 3rd GreenEnergy Consultative Council, the geography of Azerbaijan's gassupply is expanding: 'Since our last meeting here in Baku, at the10th Advisory Council, five more countries have become recipientsof our natural gas.

Today, Azerbaijan supplies natural gas to 12countries-10 of them are European, and 8 of those are members ofthe European Union. The geography of our gas supply in Europe willdefinitely grow, because today we are already involved in thecreation of gas distribution networks in some Europeancountries. Some of them do not have one, some of them need to expand it,and Azerbaijan, as an investor, is planning to do that.

So, thegeography of our gas supplies will definitely grow throughdifferent ways, including interconnections. Of course, we need tothink about joint efforts in the expansion of the existing gaspipeline system." The president also highlighted the importance of joint effortsin expanding the existing gas pipeline system: 'The Southern GasCorridor is a tremendous success story for all of us.

The3,500-kilometer integrated pipeline system today is the main arteryfor energy security for many countries. And now it is working atfull capacity. Whether it's the South Caucasus Pipeline, TANAP, orTAP-three integral parts of the Southern Gas Corridor - all arefully packed.

So we need to expand. And for that, we will need, ofcourse, financing. And we come to a very important point, which wehave raised on several occasions - that international financialinstitutions, those who decided to stop financing fossil fuelprojects, will probably reconsider their policy, especially takinginto account the huge geopolitical changes that we all witness.

Because without that, any further investments in transportationinfrastructure and even in upstream will be very problematic'." Garayev noted that Europe's energy policy has undergone radicalchanges since the Russia-Ukraine war, making Azerbaijan a prioritypartner for European countries seeking alternatives to Russiangas. "Azerbaijan has emerged as a top priority partner for Europeannations seeking alternatives to Russian gas.

European CommissionPresident Ursula von der Leyen highlighted this shift, recognizingAzerbaijan as a 'reliable energy supplier' for Europe andunderscoring its "strategic importance on Europe's energy map."Azerbaijani gas is set to be delivered to countries like Italy,Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, and several other Balkan states in thenear future. Additionally, European countries are eager to expandthe volume and routes of Azerbaijan's energy resources andcollaborate on joint projects with regional nations.

This growingsupply of energy and the broadening export network will furthersolidify Azerbaijan's pivotal role in strengthening Europe's energysecurity," he noted. Regarding green energy, Garayev emphasized that in addition totraditional energy resources, green energy has become a priority onAzerbaijan's energy agenda. “Azerbaijan is actively advancing both traditional andalternative energy sources, making significant investments in thedevelopment of green energy.

By increasing electricity productionfrom renewable sources, Azerbaijan aims to redirect surplus gasvolumes to European markets. Additionally, the Black Sea Energy project is underway to exportgreen energy from Azerbaijan to Europe. Signed on December 17,2022, this agreement establishes an energy bridge betweenAzerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary, facilitating theconstruction of a 1,195-kilometer, 1,000-megawatt submarine powercable.

The cable will transport "green" electricity produced inAzerbaijan via Georgia and the Black Sea to Romania, Hungary, andultimately, the rest of Europe. This project will enable the supplyof up to four gigawatts of renewable energy. As President Ilham Aliyev pointed out, contracts signed withinvestors for solar and wind power plants will yield 6 gigawatts ofrenewable energy by 2030.

'As I said, that will save a lot ofnatural gas, which we currently use to produce electricitydomestically, and all of that will be available for export.'European interest in Azerbaijani energy resources continues togrow, and Azerbaijan has already become an indispensable player inEurope's energy landscape,” he added. In his assessment, the territories liberated by Azerbaijan areabundant in renewable energy assets.

The political scientist emphasized that Azerbaijan's role inEurope's energy security is not only built on its natural resourcesbut also strengthened by a well-thought-out energy policy,stability, and an openness to international cooperation. "The territories of East Zangezur and Karabakh, liberated fromArmenian occupation, hold vast hydroelectric potential. AsPresident Ilham Aliyev highlighted, we have already established 270megawatts of hydroelectric power plants: 'More than 30 smallhydropower stations have already been inaugurated, and in the nextmaximum five years, this number will grow up to 500 megawatts, withan additional 30 small hydropower stations.

So, that willeventually, by 2030, create an energy potential of 6.5 gigawatts.And just for your information, today Azerbaijan's installedcapacity is slightly more than eight.

So, we will almost double ourpotential to produce energy from renewables within the next fiveyears. Alongside oil and gas, progress in green energy is positioningAzerbaijan as a key center on the future energy map. For Europe,Azerbaijan is not just an energy supplier but a strategic partnerand a guarantor of regional stability," Garayev concluded.

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