TODAY.AZ / Society

Tasty pilaf recipes every foodie should try

01 January 2020 [18:04] - TODAY.AZ

By Ofeliya Afandiyeva

Azerbaijan’s name will soon be associated not only with oil and gas, but also with its ambitious renewable energy projects, Deputy Chairman of the Center of Analysis of International Relations Dr. Esmira Jafarova has written in her article “Renewable Energy Renews Azerbaijan’s Energy Strategy” published in The Georgetown Journal of International Affairs (GJIA) recently.

The article reflected increasing potential of Azerbaijan in supply of renewable energy sources (RES) along with the traditional advanced oil-gas sector.

“As the home of the first industrially-drilled oil well in the world in 1846 and subsequently, a major exporter of hydrocarbons to the international markets through the implementation of ambitious oil and gas projects, Azerbaijan has now recalibrated its energy strategy by adopting forward-looking policies with regard to its energy mix. The country believes its success in the oil and gas fields with respect to international cooperation could also be replicated in the development of its renewable energy sector. Azerbaijan is now marching towards big horizons with the aim of enriching its energy potential”.

“Many countries in the world, including the European Union, are continually placing more premium on renewable energy, as is evidenced by the EU Energy Strategy 2050, which envisages ‘strong support measures for RES leading to a very high share of RES in gross final energy consumption (75% in 2050)’. Renewable energy is fast becoming the energy source of the future,” the author considered, even though oil and gas hade served as predominant energy sources for domestic use, renewable energy had started to appear as an attractive alternative in a potential upcoming post-hydrocarbon era.

“Renewable energy as an environment-friendly, clean energy source is fast becoming a competitor in the energy sector,” she emphasized.

Jafarova especially underlined the role of Azerbaijani Energy Ministry in the formation of development course on RES.

“Since the advent of the new leadership of Azerbaijan’s Energy Ministry in 2017, the country has embarked on a steady course toward ensuring the diversification of domestic energy use and increasing the share of renewables in the overall energy consumption balance. Azerbaijan’s renewable energy potential is estimated to be at around 27,000 megawatts, the largest share of which belongs to solar energy (23,000 megawatts),” the article reads.

The author mentioned that the ministry is planning to increase the share of its renewable energy sources from the current 18 percent to 30 percent in its overall energy balance by 2030, including the share of hydropower stations.

“The Strategic Road Map on the Development of Utilities in Azerbaijan has envisaged the creation of 420 megawatts of renewable power generation capabilities, and authorities are now working to improve the investment climate so as to attract new investors to this field”.

She also touched upon executive aspect of the issue, particularly stressing the significance of the Order signed by the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on December 5.

“The order on the ‘Measures on the Implementation of Pilot Projects in the Area of Renewables’ sets the ground for expanding the usage of renewable energy sources, as well as attracts private investments to this area. Indeed, putting a premium on the development of renewable energy will allow Azerbaijan to export more oil and gas while using renewable energy sources for domestic purposes”.

In addition, Jafarova said that the expected innovation in supply of RESwill be enabled by the legislative measures.

“The legislative basis of renewable energy investment is currently being formed by the government based on the best international practices for the creation of a healthy climate for companies, and such a legislative basis is expected to be adopted in 2020. Support mechanisms are also being developed, and auctions have been planned to launch in 2020 so as to attract the best business partners for the development of renewable energy projects (mostly wind and solar) at specifically allocated sites. Such sites include areas in the Absheron Peninsula and on the Caspian shore”.

Along with the pointed importance of RES, the author draws attention to the outstanding milestone of Azerbaijan, which has transformed the country into the prestigious oil-gas exporter in the world since 1994.

“Ever since Azerbaijan, the oil-rich country in the South Caucasus, signed the “Contract of the Century” in 1994 to propel the implementation of large-scaled energy projects in its immediate, as well as distant, neighborhood, oil and gas have become the dominant commodities that shape the country’s energy strategy”.

“Together with some large multinational corporations that are its international partners in the West, Azerbaijan has established a successful model of cooperation through the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum oil and gas pipelines—both of which transport hydrocarbons extracted from the Caspian Sea to international markets. These two projects set the milestone of Azerbaijan’s energy outreach. The revenues acquired from Azerbaijan’s hydrocarbon resources have been channeled to the socio-economic development of the country; as a result, every aspect of Azerbaijan’s statehood has flourished over the last twenty-five years,” the author said.

The article presented Azerbaijan’s effective policy in the gas export through large-scaled projects.

“The Southern Gas Corridor—a multimillion mega-project initiated in 2013 that aims to transport Azerbaijani gas to Europe in 2020 has four components: 1) the “Shah Deniz II” field, 2) the “Southern Caucasus Pipeline Expansion (SCPx), 3) the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP), and 4) the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).

“Such achievements have allowed Azerbaijan to look beyond the use of traditional energy sources and embark on the development of its renewable energy sector. Increasing focus on renewable energy was also conditioned by the dawning of a new era in the global energy sector, particularly in view of the fluctuation of oil prices since 2014,” Jafarova emphasized, mentioning two currency devaluations in February and December 2015 as well.

At the end, the author touched upon the challenges associated with the entire process—such as the creation of a favorable investment climate, support mechanisms of private entrepreneurship, legislation and other aspects, pointing triumph of Azerbaijan regardless all difficulties.

“Azerbaijan is on the cusp of an energy revolution that might have seemed impossible a couple of years ago”.

URL: http://www.today.az/news/society/189748.html

Print version

Views: 1373

Connect with us. Get latest news and updates.

Recommend news to friend

  • Your name:
  • Your e-mail:
  • Friend's name:
  • Friend's e-mail: