A plenary meeting on the signing ceremony of the “Agreement on a strategic partnership in the field of green energy development and transmission between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary” has been held in Bucharest.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the plenary meeting.
President of Romania Klaus Iohannis welcomed President Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
They posed together for photographs.
Opening the plenary meeting, President of Romania Klaus Iohannis welcomed the guests and made a speech.
The head of state addressed the meeting.
Speech by President Ilham Aliyev
– Dear colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,
First of all, I’d like to express gratitude to President Iohannis, for invitation and for hosting this important event. The implementation of the agreement on strategic partnership in the field of green energy development and transmission, which will be signed today, will be our common contribution to Europe’s energy security. This agreement is an important step in creation of a green energy corridor.
I’d like to express a special gratitude to the President of the European Commission, Madame Ursula von der Leyen for her continuous support to Azerbaijan in the projects of energy security and energy diversification.
This July, during the visit of Madame von der Leyen to Azerbaijan, we signed the memorandum of understanding on strategic partnership in the field of energy between Azerbaijan and EU, and we already started to implement this document. Last year Azerbaijan’s export of natural gas to European Union market was 8.2 billion cubic meters, this year 11.3. Next year it will be at least 11.6. Total export of natural gas from Azerbaijan next year will be almost 24 billion cubic meters. In comparison in the year of 2021, it was 19.
Yesterday SOCAR and Romgaz signed a contract on gas supply from Azerbaijan to Romania starting from 1st January next year. So, Azerbaijan is expanding the geography of its gas supplies to European market. This is a win-win situation. Europe needs to strengthen its energy security. Azerbaijan needs reliable market for its huge energy resources.
Today, we start to build another energy bridge from Azerbaijan to Europe. Our country is planning to become an important supplier of electric energy to Europe, mainly green energy. Azerbaijan’s renewable energy potential is more than 27 gigawatt of wind and solar power on shore, and 157 gigawatt of wind power in Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. Together with one of our country`s strategic investor, we plan to implement 3 gigawatt of wind and one gigawatt of solar power by 2027, 80 percent of which will be exported. By 2037, we plan to create an additional capacity of at least 6 gigawatt.
Thus, only one global energy company is planning to invest in creation of 10 gigawatt of green energy in Azerbaijan. Two days ago, the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan signed a framework agreement with another global energy company. This company is planning to invest in creation of up to 12 gigawatt of wind and solar energy in Azerbaijan. So, at least 3 gigawatt of additional transmission capacity should be created for the first phase of Azerbaijani export.
In order to achieve our goals, we must work efficiently. Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary, Romania should work as one team, and in close cooperation and coordination with the European Union. I wish all of us success.
Thank you.
