On October 20, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said that in the coming days, the region's largest solar power plant (SPP) will be put into operation in Azerbaijan.

"The 230 MW Garadagh SPP is the first station built in our country at the expense of foreign investment in the amount of 225 million US dollars. Thanks to this station, our energy balance will include 500 million kWh of 'green energy' per year. Also, in accordance with the implementation agreements with the United Arab Emirates company "Masdar" for the evaluation, development, and implementation of 1 GW of solar and 1 GW of wind on land, and initially 2 GW in the sea and in the next stage 4 GW of wind energy and hydrogen projects areas and potential areas in the sea are determined," he said. The minister said that within this framework, the construction of 390 MW solar power plants in Neftchala, 445 MW solar power plants in Bilasuvar, and 200-300 MW wind power plants in Gobustan is planned.

"The work of the 240 MW 'Khizi-Absheron' Wind Power Station is being continued according to the schedule of putting it into operation in 2025. The Roadmap for the Battery Energy Storage System and 200 MW onshore wind projects was signed last month as part of the implementation contracts with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's 'ACWA Power' company for the implementation of the wind project with a total capacity of up to 2.5 GW onshore and offshore," the official noted.

"The foundation of a 240 MW solar power plant will be laid by BP next year in Jabrayl. Also, areas are currently being agreed upon for the construction of solar power plants with 'Nobel Energy' in Jabrayl and with a Chinese company in Fuzuli," the energy minister emphasized. Shahbazov noted that the process of selecting and agreeing on areas for the construction of solar power plants with a total capacity of 1,150 MW by "Nobel Energy," "TotalEnergies" and "A-Z Czech Engineering" companies in Nakhchivan continues.

"Besides, the first floating solar plant in our country was installed in the Boyukshor Lake on a pilot project with a capacity of 100 kW, and it will soon be connected to the grid. In general, it is planned to create production capacities of 7 GW by 2030 in stages. Depending on export requirements, these volumes may increase significantly by 2037," he concluded.