Azerbaijan Presents National Strategic Review for Hydrogen

The presentation of Azerbaijan's National Strategic Review for Hydrogen document took place at the event named Enabling the Clean Hydrogen Economy & Developing New Supply Chains organized by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Hydrogen Council within the COP29 conference.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Energy Samir Valiyev spoke about the steps taken by Azerbaijan towards the transition to green energy, plans for the production and export of green hydrogen. The need for green hydrogen to decarbonize difficult-to-electrify sectors such as heavy industry, transport and shipping, which now account for a significant part of global emissions, has been noted. It was emphasized that one of the three initiatives of the COP29 presidency in the field of energy is the hydrogen declaration. It was noted that this initiative is intended for countries to increase their production capacity by developing domestic hydrogen markets and support the development of regional markets, and Azerbaijan's National Strategic Review for Hydrogen document was prepared for this purpose.

Javid Abdullayev, Director of Azerbaijan Renewable Energy Agency under the Ministry of Energy, noted during the presentation of the National Strategic Review for Hydrogen document that balanced, accelerated and ambitious scenarios are currently being considered. In each scenario, assessments were made on the directions for the domestic use and export of green hydrogen, as well as on the required renewable energy capacity.

It was emphasized that in accordance with the balanced and accelerated scenarios for the production of green hydrogen by 2050, renewable energy investment capacity of 9GW and 18GW is required. In the ambitious scenario projected for 2060, it is planned to install renewable energy volumes of 30GW. For this purpose, research is currently underway on the installed renewable power capacity. In addition to the use of offshore wind energy, it is possible to use onshore wind and solar energy in a hybrid way to achieve these goals. The economic potential of offshore wind energy in Azerbaijan is estimated at 38GW, which is in full compliance with the Strategic Review document.

At the next stage, it is planned to develop a plan for the application of a Strategic Review document.

The National Strategic Review for Hydrogen document complies with the Hydrogen Declaration announced by the COP29 presidency and the concept of green energy corridors implemented by our country and outlines our country's future plans for hydrogen use.

It should be noted that in order to prepare this strategic document, a working group of key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, SOCAR, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, the State Water Resources Agency and other relevant bodies, is chaired by the Ministry of Energy.