Electricity in Azerbaijan in 2021

Azerbaijan's electricity consumption in the year 2021 saw a substantial reliance on fossil fuels, particularly gas, along with a relatively smaller contribution from low-carbon sources. The total electricity generation stood at around 43 TWh, significantly fueled by fossil sources with almost 25 TWh and gas contributing about 16 TWh. The share of low-carbon energy, which is a mix of nuclear, wind, and solar energies, was marginally above 1 TWh, whereas hydropower was approximately 1.3 TWh. In comparison, the global average electricity consumption per person is around 410 watts. The heavy dependence on fossil fuels implies considerable carbon emissions and potential environmental challenges, despite the comparatively lower levels of electricity generation.

Suggestions

There is significant potential for Azerbaijan to boost its low-carbon electricity generation through strategic adaptation and collaboration. Examining successful models from similar countries can provide valuable insights. For example, Turkey has effectively harnessed wind energy by generating roughly 34 TWh, as has Spain with about 61 TWh from wind and 40 TWh from solar. Additionally, countries like Ukraine and Pakistan have made pragmatic use of nuclear energy for electricity, producing around 65 TWh and 22 TWh respectively. By learning from these countries, Azerbaijan can possibly diversify its energy sources, enhance its clean energy production, and subsequently reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

History

Looking at the history of low-carbon electricity in Azerbaijan, it is clear that the focus has been primarily on hydropower. Since the late 1980s, both increases and decreases in hydropower electricity generation have been observed. The most significant surge in hydropower production, around 1 TWh, occurred in 1990 and 2010. However, there were also decreases for multiple years, with dips of 0.5 TWh in 1986, 2006, and 2020, and of 0.8 TWh in 2011 and 2012. Overall, the trend has been somewhat erratic, indicating a need for a more consistent plan towards enhancing clean energy production in the years to come.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources