Masdar, SOCAR break ground on 1 GW of wind and solar in Azerbaijan

BAKU, June 6, 2024 – Abu Dhabi clean energy player Masdar and Azerbaijan NOC SOCAR have broken ground on three major solar and wind projects in Azerbaijan with a capacity of 1 GW, Masdar announced on Wednesday.

The three projects include the 445-MW Bilasuvar Solar PV Project, the 315-MW Neftchala Solar PV Project and the 240-MW Absheron-Garadagh Onshore Wind Project.

The groundbreaking was presided over by Azeri President H.E. Ilham Aliyev and Masdar chairman H.E. Dr Sultan Al Jaber, among other officials, and marked the opening ceremony of Baku Energy Week.

“We are proud to partner with Azerbaijan on this significant expansion of its renewable energy capacity and to support Azerbaijan’s journey toward energy diversification, stimulating new industries, new jobs and sustainable economic growth,” H.E. Dr Sultan Al Jaber said.

“A key pillar of the historic UAE Consensus is the goal of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030. We need many more partnerships like these to ensure a just, orderly and equitable energy transition that keeps 1.5 within reach.”

Azeri Minister of Energy H.E. Parviz Shahbazov called the projects “a first in the field of green energy in Azerbaijan,” and highlighted the UAE and Azerbaijan’s shared commitment to the energy transition as COP host countries.

Each year, the projects will generate enough power to save over 500 mcm of natural gas and prevent more than 1 million tonnes of carbon emissions, the minister said.

Azerbaijan targets a 30% share for renewables in its power generation mix by 2030.

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