On February 3, the 9th meeting of ministers within the framework of the Southern Gas Corridor Consultative Council and the 1st meeting of the ministers within the Green Energy Consultative Council framework began in Baku, the Press Office of the Azerbaijani President reported.

High-ranking representatives of the European Commission, Romania, Turkey, Italy, USA, Great Britain, Georgia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Albania, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine, and Croatia are participating in the events. In addition, SOCAR, BP, BOTAS, TANAP, TAP, TPAO, TAQA, Bulgargaz EAD, Bulgartransgaz, ICGB, Fluxys, ROMGAZ SA, SACE, Desfa, TotalEnergies, FGSZ Ltd, SNAM, Uniper, Petronas, ACWA Power, Masdar, Fortescue Future Industries, WindEurope, SolarPower Europe energy companies are represented. Among the financial institutions, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and others participate.

Aliyev's remarks

Regarding the TANAP project, Ilham Aliyev said: "Today, we are already considering the expansion of TANAP from 16 billion cubic meters to 30 billion cubic meters, and we are talking about the expansion of TAP from 10 billion cubic meters to 20 billion cubic meters. This shows that there is a great need for an alternative energy source. " He added, "We plan to double our gas exports to Europe by 2027, and this is possible because we have the resources. If someone needs something, we try to provide immediate support."

He emphasized recent energy developments with Bulgaria, "Another important event was the opening of the interconnector between Greece and Bulgaria. This was thanks to the Southern Gas Corridor project and a certain extent, its diversification. As a result, it made it possible for us to start supplying our natural gas to Bulgaria. Also, we intend to extend the corridor to neighboring countries through this extension and interconnectors."

About the recent contract signed with Georgia, Hungary, and Romania, Aliyev stated, "Of course, December was very important for energy security because two important events took place. First, we signed an agreement on gas supply to Azerbaijan and Romania, which will start soon. Thus, Romania joins the group of countries participating in the Southern Gas Corridor, and we also signed the Green Energy Production and Transmission Agreement between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary, and Romania. This is a kind of new page in energy security that will create additional cooperation opportunities for our efforts. In short, these were important events."

On gas exports, the Azerbaijani president said, "Natural gas exports are increasing - in 2021, it was about 19 billion cubic meters, and last year it was 22.6 billion cubic meters. We expect it to be 24.5 billion cubic meters this year. This means the Memorandum of Understanding with the European Commission is being successfully implemented. We are not only increasing production, including exports, but also expanding its geography. As for natural gas resources, I have already stated many times that natural gas resources will be enough for us and our partners for at least 100 years. Of course, we are looking to the future, and today will also be the first meeting of the Advisory Council on green energy. The delegation is relatively small - only four countries."

Ministry of Energy and ACWA Power company sign cooperation documents on wind energy and energy storage systems

Within the framework of the 9th meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council of Ministers and the 1st meeting of the Green Energy Advisory Council of Ministers in Baku, between the Ministry of Energy and the "ACWA Power" company of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, "Executive Agreement on the implementation of the offshore wind project up to 1.5 GW", "Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a 1 GW wind farm on land" and "Memorandum of Understanding on the development of energy storage systems in Azerbaijan" were signed.

Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said that the partnership with ACWA Power company is expanding with projects to create wind power plants with a total capacity of 2.5 GW and energy storage systems for the first time in the country.

"These projects are further contributions to the implementation of the state policy on the development of Azerbaijan as a country of 'green growth and a supplier of 'green energy.' Our joint activity with ACWA Power is important for reducing carbon emissions and accelerating the energy transition, as well as providing new power for the planned green energy corridor from the Caspian to Europe," the Minister noted.

Mohammad Abunayyan, the Chairman of "ACWA Power," said that with the signing of new agreements, the role of "ACWA Power" in accelerating the country's energy transformation is expanding.

Currently, cooperation is being carried out with "ACWA Power" company on the construction of 240 MW "Khizi-Absheron" Wind Power Station.