Tokyo, 7 June, /AJMEDIA/
The website Diplomatic World Sweden has published an article dedicated to the 30th anniversary Baku Energy Forum, held on June 2–4 as part of Baku Energy Week.
The article highlights Azerbaijan’s impressive transformation – from a devastated post-Soviet republic to a key energy partner of Europe.
The publication notes that President Ilham Aliyev’s speech made a strong impression on attendees. The head of state described the situation in the country in the 1990s with the words: “Inflation had reached 1,000 percent, poverty was widespread, and hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis had been subjected to ethnic cleansing.” Against this backdrop, the scale of Azerbaijan’s subsequent transformation appears even more remarkable.
Thanks to strategic decisions and political will, the country overcame the crisis and embarked on a path of sustainable development.
Today, Azerbaijan exports natural gas to 12 countries. In 2023, exports reached 25 billion cubic meters, and by 2030, the country plans to increase its export capacity by an additional 8 billion cubic meters.
The renewable energy sector is also rapidly developing: 6.5 gigawatts of new capacity are under construction, which will account for about 35 percent of the country’s total energy production.
The article pays particular attention to the Southern Gas Corridor – a 3,500-kilometer infrastructure network connecting the Caspian Sea to European markets. This project is described not only as an engineering feat but also a geopolitical breakthrough.
The authors emphasize that Azerbaijan is not merely a supplier of hydrocarbons, but also an innovator actively investing in solar and wind energy. The wind energy potential of the Caspian Sea has already attracted the interest of leading companies from Finland and Norway – driven not by humanitarian motives, but by a recognition of Azerbaijan’s technological and investment potential.
In conclusion, the article notes that Azerbaijan has secured a firm position in Europe’s energy architecture, becoming a reliable partner that shapes the agenda rather than merely following global trends. Azerbaijan’s example is a story of how strategic thinking, foresight, and investment in sustainable development can transform a country and strengthen its international standing.
