Baku: Azerbaijan is taking significant steps towards enhancing its renewable energy infrastructure, aiming to increase the share of renewables in the national energy grid to 39% by 2030. This initiative was highlighted by Deputy Minister of Energy, Orkhan Zeynalov, during a session titled 'Regional Energy Connectivity for Sustainable Development' at the Annual Meetings of the Islamic Development Bank held in Baku.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Zeynalov outlined plans for the integration of 11 solar and wind power plants, totaling a capacity of 2 gigawatts, into Azerbaijan's national energy system by the end of next year. The Deputy Minister emphasized that achieving a 39% share of renewables by 2030, and 43% by 2035, would allow Azerbaijan to conserve an additional 1.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas. This conserved natural gas could be exported, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Further plans include developing approximately 8 gigawatts of capacity from both onshore and offshore renewable energy sources by 2032. This expansion will not only enable energy exports through four interconnectors but also support the energy requirements of potential data and artificial intelligence centers. Zeynalov also mentioned that the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe energy corridor will leverage Azerbaijan's substantial renewable energy potential, particularly the wind resources available in the Caspian Sea.