Electricity in Azerbaijan in 2022

As of 2022, Azerbaijan's electricity generation stands predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, producing approximately 27.1 TWh from such sources, with gas contributing almost all of this amount at 27.01 TWh. In stark contrast, low-carbon energy production remains low, with only about 1.8 TWh generated, mainly from hydropower, which contributes around 1.6 TWh. Therefore, low-carbon electricity accounts for a small fraction of the country's total electricity generation. When comparing per capita consumption, Azerbaijan's electricity generation is significantly below the global average of 432 watts per person, leading to potential issues such as limited economic growth, energy insecurity, and increased reliance on fossil fuels that exacerbate climate change and air pollution.

Suggestions

To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Azerbaijan can look towards examples set by countries that have successfully diversified their energy mix. For instance, the People's Republic of China has achieved substantial generation from wind (886 TWh) and solar (584 TWh), demonstrating that large-scale investments in these technologies can yield impressive results. Additionally, nuclear power presents a reliable alternative, with countries like France (336 TWh), Russia (217 TWh), and South Korea (180 TWh) showcasing the potential of nuclear energy to provide substantial and steady clean electricity. Adopting policies to encourage investment in wind, solar, and nuclear technologies, alongside governmental incentives and international collaboration, could help Azerbaijan significantly boost its low-carbon electricity production.

History

Examining the historical data on low-carbon electricity, particularly hydropower, in Azerbaijan shows a mix of intermittent gains and losses. In the early 1990s, hydropower saw modest increases, such as in 1990 and 1993, with increments of 1 TWh and 0.7 TWh respectively, but this was marred by declines such as a drop of 0.6 TWh in 1994. Notably, there were peaks such as in 2002 and 2010, where increases of 0.7 TWh and 1.1 TWh were recorded, respectively. These were again offset by significant declines in subsequent years like the 0.8 TWh reductions in both 2011 and 2012. Most recently, in 2022, Azerbaijan managed a minor increase of 0.3 TWh in hydropower. This sporadic pattern underscores the need for a more diversified and resilient approach to low-carbon electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources