BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 31. Azerbaijan and
Germany have discussed the transition of ports to green energy.
The State Agency for Renewable Energy Sources under Azerbaijan’s
Ministry of Energy reported this.
The meeting was held on Aug. 31 in Germany between Deputy
Director of the State Agency for Renewable Energy Sources Rena
Humbatova, Head of the Finance Department Ragsana Pashayeva, Deputy
Head of the Hydrogen and Green Technologies Department Fuad
Hasanov, Project Coordinator at the Clean Energy Center of the
Economic Cooperation Organization Nigar Shukurova, and
representatives of the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA).
During the meeting, the sides discussed the strategy developed
for the Port of Hamburg in line with the European Union’s goal of
turning ports green by 2045. Under the Hamburg strategy, the port
is expected to achieve this goal by 2040.
The meeting also covered projects aimed at decarbonizing the
port. These include the electrification of port operations and the
use of green certificates, as well as a project to produce 100 MW
of green hydrogen to reduce emissions from industrial and
manufacturing processes at the port.
The sides also exchanged information on infrastructure being
developed at the port for the import, storage, processing and
onward transportation of green hydrogen and its derivatives.
In addition, the participants discussed technical solutions
being implemented to provide ships with electricity from shore
while at berth, develop electrification infrastructure, reduce
emissions from port operations and integrate renewable energy
sources into port activities.
The Azerbaijani side briefed its counterparts on the country’s
renewable energy potential and measures being implemented in the
green hydrogen sector, as well as the preparation of an
implementation plan for Azerbaijan’s National Hydrogen Strategy
Vision document with technical support from the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
The sides also highlighted areas of cooperation related to green
hydrogen and its derivatives identified in the Joint Declaration on
Strategic Partnership signed by Azerbaijan and Germany in Berlin on
July 21, 2026.
The participants discussed the role of ports in the energy
transition, the organization of safe and efficient logistics for
green energy carriers, the integration of hydrogen technologies
into port operations and the exchange of best practices in port
infrastructure decarbonization.
Information was also provided on a pilot project being
implemented by the port in carbon capture, storage and
utilization.
The strategic importance of ports in developing international
trade in green hydrogen and its derivatives was emphasized at the
meeting. The sides noted that adapting port infrastructure to
modern requirements, applying relevant logistics and safety
standards, and integrating ports into international energy
corridors will play an important role in facilitating access to
global markets for green energy carriers.
Azerbaijan is implementing large-scale projects to increase
electricity generation and diversify its energy system. The
development of renewable energy sources is one of the key
priorities of the country’s energy strategy.
Large-scale investment projects to build solar and wind power
plants are currently being implemented with BP, Masdar, ACWA Power,
China Gezhouba Group Overseas Investment, SOCAR Green and other
partners. Once completed, these projects are expected to add
thousands of megawatts of new generation capacity to Azerbaijan’s
energy system in the coming years, reducing domestic demand for
natural gas and allowing more gas to be exported.
According to Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov, the
share of renewable energy sources in the country’s energy mix is
expected to reach about 43% by 2035 as a result of these
projects.
The minister said Azerbaijan is implementing strategic projects
aimed at establishing a new energy and investment platform between
Central Asia and neighboring regions. One of the key initiatives,
he said, is the Central Asia-Azerbaijan Green Energy Corridor
project.
“The creation of a Trans-Caspian energy corridor connecting the
electricity systems of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan is
part of our countries’ strategic vision. This project also creates
broad opportunities for developing the Middle Corridor, which will
serve as a green energy bridge between Europe, Asia and China via
the Caspian Sea,” Shahbazov emphasized.
According to the minister, the Green Corridor Alliance joint
venture based in Baku is already operating and coordinating
feasibility studies financed by the Asian Development Bank and the
EBRD.
Meanwhile, intensive work is continuing on the Caspian-Black
Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor, the Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Europe and
Azerbaijan-Georgia-Türkiye-Bulgaria electricity
interconnectors.
Shahbazov said green energy corridors are shaping the
geoeconomic map of the future and that these initiatives will
stimulate not only energy exports but also the development of
digital connectivity, fiber-optic infrastructure and regional
economic cooperation.
Cavid Abdullayev, Director of the State Agency for Renewable
Energy Sources under the Ministry of Energy, told Trend in an
exclusive interview that Azerbaijan is playing an increasingly
important role in establishing a green energy bridge between Europe
and Central Asia.
“Azerbaijan is no longer only an exporter of energy resources
but is also one of the initiators of regional energy connectivity
and green energy corridors. The wind and solar projects currently
underway will not only strengthen the country’s energy security but
also significantly increase its electricity export potential,”
Abdullayev emphasized.
According to him, the Caspian Sea’s substantial wind potential,
the development of new electricity transmission lines and
initiatives such as the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy
Corridor will further strengthen Azerbaijan’s role in Europe’s
energy security.
“Green energy projects will not only generate additional export
revenues for the country but also help optimize the domestic energy
balance, reduce natural gas consumption and enable more gas to be
directed to foreign markets,” he added.
