UAE’s Masdar and Azerbaijan embark on 1GW clean energy projects
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), a major force in the global clean energy sector from the UAE, has inked pivotal agreements to develop solar and onshore wind projects in Azerbaijan. These projects cumulatively bring 1 gigawatt (GW) of capacity to the table, marking a substantial advancement in renewable energy for Azerbaijan.
Inauguration of the Garadagh Solar Park Leads to New Ventures
The new agreements align with the successful inauguration of the Garadagh Solar Park, which stands as the region’s largest operational solar plant with a capacity of 230MW. This solar park underscores Azerbaijan’s first independent solar power project with foreign investment, signifying a major leap in the nation’s renewable energy journey. The agreements further extend Masdar’s commitment to the first phase of Azerbaijan’s ambitious 10GW renewable energy project pipeline, which was initially outlined in June 2022.
UAE’s Masdar signs groundbreaking 1GW renewable energy agreements with Azerbaijan. Photo courtesy of Masdar/PRNewswire.
Leadership and International Collaboration at the Forefront
The inauguration event of Garadagh was attended by high-profile leaders including HE Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President-Designate. The key figures from both nations highlighted the significance of these collaborations. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber stressed the importance of diversifying the global energy mix through initiatives like Garadagh, praising Azerbaijan’s commitment to developing low and zero-carbon solutions.
Azerbaijan’s Green Energy Vision Receives a Boost
Azerbaijan’s energy officials, including Minister of Energy HE Parviz Shahbazov, have expressed their commitment to advancing the nation’s green energy goals. These projects, including Garadagh, are instrumental in achieving Azerbaijan’s target of sourcing over 30 percent of its overall energy capacity from renewables by 2030. The Garadagh plant alone, pivotal in Masdar’s Azerbaijani operations, is expected to produce enough electricity to power more than 110,000 homes annually, significantly cutting carbon emissions.
Masdar’s Expanding Global Footprint
Masdar CEO, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, highlighted the importance of the Garadagh plant and the new agreements as milestones in Azerbaijan’s clean energy vision. These developments are part of Masdar’s broader strategy to escalate renewable energy adoption and green hydrogen technology worldwide. With a presence in over 40 countries and a generation capacity exceeding 20GW, Masdar’s expansive portfolio showcases its commitment to addressing global sustainability challenges, aiming for a target of 100GW capacity and 1 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030.
This partnership between Masdar and Azerbaijan not only symbolizes a significant step towards a sustainable future but also demonstrates the growing importance of international collaboration in the race to meet global climate goals.