One of the most important pillars of Azerbaijan’s rise as a global actor is its energy policy. Possessing rich oil and gas reserves in the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan has, since the late 20th century, emerged as an initiator and leading participant in transnational energy projects. Major projects such as the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Southern Gas Corridor have turned the country into an important partner in Europe’s energy security. In particular, the Southern Gas Corridor has enhanced Azerbaijan’s strategic role on the global energy map, transforming the country from an energy exporter into an actor that helps shape energy policy. Through SOCAR, one of the key investors in the TANAP and TAP projects, Azerbaijan has played a leading role in the projects both financially and logistically. At present, annual gas exports amount to 10 billion cubic metres. However, President Ilham Aliyev has identified increasing TANAP’s transmission capacity from 16 billion to 32 billion cubic metres as a priority.

 

Azerbaijan has significant potential in wind, solar and hydropower. The country’s wind energy resources, particularly in the Caspian Sea, have attracted international attention. President Ilham Aliyev has stated that Azerbaijan is targeting 5 gigawatts of green energy exports by 2030. This represents a major step forward in increasing Azerbaijan’s role in the European energy market.

As for the Green Energy Corridor project, it envisages the export of green electricity along the Azerbaijan–Georgia–Hungary route. The European Commission has designated the project as a priority initiative. Interest in the supply of green energy from Azerbaijan is growing, and the country’s entry into the European energy market with a new status is becoming an important pillar of its steadily developing strategic partnership with the European Union. Azerbaijan is a country that is continuously diversifying Europe’s energy supply through alternative sources and routes. In short, Azerbaijan is determined to pursue its strategic objectives of developing as a green energy country.

The large-scale projects currently being implemented in Azerbaijan, including in the territories liberated from occupation, will ensure that the country becomes not only an alternative energy producer but also an exporter in the future.