Nov 25, 2024

EBRD invests in Azerbaijan’s solar power expansion at COP29

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has unveiled a significant investment in Azerbaijan's renewable energy sector during COP29 in Baku, Trend reports.

In collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the EBRD will provide $160 million each for the development of two large-scale solar power plants in Azerbaijan.

The two solar projects, which will have a combined capacity of 760 MW, are being developed by Masdar and SOCAR Green. The 445 MW solar park in Bilasuvar and the 315 MW solar plant in Neftchala will be the largest renewable energy projects in the Caucasus region. Construction has already begun, with both projects expected to be commissioned by 2027.

This investment marks a crucial step toward achieving Azerbaijan's goal of increasing the share of renewable energy in its power generation mix to 30 percent by 2030. Nandita Parshad, Managing Director of the EBRD’s Sustainable Infrastructure Group, highlighted the transformative impact of the projects, stating, “We are very pleased to be financing these solar plants, the largest to date in the Caucasus, saving over 600,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. In addition to the real-world impact of powering up to 300,000 homes with green energy, this significant investment will transform the entire renewable energy market in the region.”

As a leader in financing climate action, the EBRD has been instrumental in mobilising private-sector finance for sustainable infrastructure projects across its regions. In 2023 alone, the Bank provided over 6.5 billion euros in green financing, representing 50 percent of its total investment.

The EBRD, which has been operating in Azerbaijan for over 30 years, is also the largest institutional investor in the Caucasus. To date, the Bank has invested more than 3.7 billion euros in Azerbaijan through 191 projects, including the country’s first utility-scale solar power plant, recently commissioned by Masdar. The EBRD has financed over 1.2 GW of renewable energy capacity in Azerbaijan, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the country’s transition to clean energy.