The head of our state, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, during the 29th International Caspian Oil and Gas – “Caspian Oil & Gas” and the 12th International Caspian Energy and Green Energy – “Caspian Power” exhibitions, which were held on June 21 at the Baku Expo Center as part of the Baku Energy Week. In the interview he gave to “Euronews”, he touched on a number of important issues and gave important messages.
The main topic of the interview was COP-29, that is, the global climate summit, which will be held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, this fall. The summit is in the center of serious attention of the whole world, as well as European countries. The President of Azerbaijan said in an interview that Azerbaijan is attractive for those who invest not only in traditional energy sources, but also in renewable energy.
President Ilham Aliyev said that “Masdar” is a strategic partner of Azerbaijan in the field of renewable energy: “In October of last year, the first solar power plant of 230 megawatts was inaugurated in our country. All agreements and memoranda of understanding covering the capacity of 10 gigawatts and up to 5 gigawatts by 2030 will be executed in the future”.
Noting that there is a good investment environment in Azerbaijan, the head of state said that the country is currently diverting its income from traditional energy to renewable energy. “As a country that will host COP29, it is our responsibility to be one of the leaders in the transition to green energy,” the President said, adding that Azerbaijan has great partners, Masdar is one of our strategic partners, as well as ACWA Power and BP is among the investors, besides them, there are many companies from other countries that plan to work with Azerbaijan.
Noting the importance of strengthening the national energy network, being able to receive as much energy as possible from investors, and the importance of actively working with neighbors regarding transmission lines, the President said that Azerbaijan does not need as much renewable energy as it plans, and therefore export is the goal.
“A very thoughtful approach to the use of renewable energy should be applied so that electricity is produced as much as possible and natural gas is saved so that it can be transported mainly to Europe in the manner it is now needed,” President Ilham Aliyev said.
It is a global necessity for the world community to be so sensitive and give importance to renewable energy resources. It is a well-known fact that as a result of such intensive exploitation, the hydrocarbon resources of the planet will eventually be exhausted – sooner in one country, later than in another. However, the world, all countries need to be ready for this prospect.
Azerbaijan is located in such a geographical position and has such a relief that it has ample opportunities to produce renewable energy in addition to its underground resources. This includes year-round windy weather in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula, and sunny weather in all four seasons of the year. These are projects to convert energy effectively and they have been running for some time now. More than 300 representatives from more than 37 countries participated in the recently held Baku Energy Week. Noting that the event has been held for 30 years, the President said that the first event was organized back in 1994.
President Ilham Aliyev said that one of the main goals of Azerbaijan, as the host country of COP-29, is to create unity and solidarity, and concluded by saying: “Azerbaijan wants to create such a positive environment during COP and during the period that our presidency will continue after that, that countries and companies – to work willingly with each other and put aside mutual claims, focus on the main agenda of protecting the planet”.
If one of the two global problems facing mankind is to prevent wars and create peace in the world, the other is to find and develop inexhaustible energy resources and use them for the benefit of billions of people.
Azerbaijan is confidently advancing on this path and joins the calls of the world community.
Hajar Verdiyeva – doctor of historical sciences, professor