Baku, November 10 (Xinhua) — Overview | China and Azerbaijan have broad prospects for green cooperation
The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will be held on the 11th in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. China and Arab countries have a solid foundation and great potential for cooperation in areas such as green energy, and green has become the distinctive background of practical cooperation between China and Arab countries.
Gobstan photovoltaic power station is located about 60 kilometers southwest of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, covering an area of about 550 hectares, about 770 standard football fields. It is the first large-scale new energy project in Azerbaijan, and also a landmark project of China Arab joint construction of the green “the Belt and Road”. The annual power generation of the power station reaches 500 million kilowatt hours, which can be used by 110000 households and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 200000 tons per year. This is of great significance for the structural adjustment of energy in Afghanistan.
Azerbaijani President Aliyev praised the Gobstan photovoltaic power plant, which was built by a Chinese company, as a “remarkable achievement” during the grid connection ceremony in October 2023.
This is the scenery of Baku city in Azerbaijan captured on November 1st. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Tofik Babayev)
The two countries continue to promote the alignment of green development strategies and policy coordination, and accelerate the exchange and mutual learning of green development experience. The China Electricity Council, the Global Energy Internet Development Cooperation Organization initiated by China, Tsinghua University Energy Transformation and Social Development Research Center and other institutions have visited Afghanistan, carrying out in-depth exchanges with Afghan government departments, enterprises, scientific research institutions, etc.
In July of this year, the Azerbaijani government signed a framework agreement with Chinese new energy vehicle company BYD Co., Ltd. In addition to purchasing 160 electric buses from Algeria, the two sides will also carry out localized production and other deeper cooperation in the future.
In October this year, Shakhbazov, the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan, spoke highly of China Arab green energy cooperation at the third “the Belt and Road” Energy Ministers’ Meeting held in Qingdao. The Afghan delegation believes that there is great potential for deepening cooperation between Afghanistan and China in the fields of green infrastructure, green energy, and green transportation. The Afghan delegation discussed the prospects of cooperation in photovoltaic, wind power, energy storage, and green hydrogen projects with companies such as China Energy Engineering International Group, Datang Corporation, and TBEA.
Azerbaijan has enormous potential for green energy, especially in the areas of solar and wind energy, with unique advantages. The country plans to increase the proportion of renewable energy generation to 30% by 2030. Azerbaijan has an annual sunshine duration of 2400 to 3200 hours. The country has abundant wind energy resources, and both onshore and offshore conditions provide significant opportunities for sustainable power generation. The Afghan government plans to collaborate with international companies to install 7 gigawatts of offshore wind power capacity by 2040.
Local media believe that Azerbaijan’s bid to host COP29 further confirms its determination and confidence in promoting green energy transformation. During this conference, the Afghan side will propose topics such as the COP29 Climate Financing Initiative, the Baku Global Climate Transparency Platform, and the construction of green energy regions and corridors.
Recently, more and more Chinese companies have been visiting Azerbaijan to explore the cooperation prospects of new energy projects such as energy storage and offshore wind power. This will not only bring advanced technology and equipment to Afghanistan, drive local employment and related industry development, but also help Afghanistan achieve its green energy strategic goals.
This is the Baku Olympic Stadium in Azerbaijan, which serves as the venue for the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, captured on September 19th. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Tofik Babayev)
This is the dedicated lane for the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, captured in Baku, Azerbaijan on November 1st. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Tofik Babayev)
This is one of the landmark buildings in Baku, Azerbaijan, captured on November 1st – the “Tower of Flames”. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Tofik Babayev)