Roadmap to develop offshore wind energy will be prepared

Within the cooperation on the development of the renewable energy sector in Azerbaijan, an online seminar was held with the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Energy, the Energy Regulatory Agency and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which is a part of the World Bank Group. With the support of the International Financial Corporation (IFC), discussions were held on the preparation of the “road map for the development of offshore wind energy in Azerbaijan”. Zaur Mammadov, the Head of the Administration of the Ministry of Energy, said that the purpose of the road map is to determine potential zones for future auctions on the basis of wind energy potential, network connectivity, environmental and social impact assessment in the offshore and onshore.
The sides expressed their satisfaction with the cooperation between the organization and the Ministry of Energy to ensure the gradual transition to market relations in the energy sector and the development of the renewable energy sector. The presentation of the World Bank Group reflecting the world's offshore wind energy markets, their experience in the use of this energy, their forecasts until 2030 and support for the development of this sector was demonstrated.
It was noted that the process of preparing the "road map on the development of the use of offshore wind industry in Azerbaijan" will cover such issues as geospatial mapping and zoning, economic analysis, financial analysis, environmental and social analysis, impacts assessment, permitting, consenting, regulatory and legal framework, transmission upgrades and supply chain analysis. The use of offshore wind industry will help new jobs, as well as opportunities that add value to the country's economy. The work on the project is planned to start in June of the current year, in December the visit of the mission to Azerbaijan and the completion of the road map in February of next year.
It was noted that the road map to be prepared jointly with the International Finance Corporation will also contribute to the expansion of the use of renewable energy sources in Azerbaijan and the implementation of the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030.