In the past 12 months, from July 2024 to June 2025, Azerbaijan's electricity consumption has predominantly relied on fossil fuels, with gas alone accounting for more than 85% of the energy supply. This means that only a small portion of electricity, close to 14%, comes from low-carbon or clean energy sources. Specifically, hydropower contributes a significant majority of this low-carbon mix at around 12.5%, while solar energy plays a much smaller role with approximately 1.45%. This heavy reliance on fossil fuels is concerning due to the negative impacts on climate change and air quality, highlighting the need for a strategic shift towards more sustainable energy solutions.

Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember, Energy Institute and IEA. More about data sources →

Is Electricity Growing in Azerbaijan?

Looking at the historical data, Azerbaijan has not yet reached its potential in terms of electricity consumption growth. The latest figures indicate that electricity consumption is at 2505 kWh per person, which is significantly lower than the peak of 3329 kWh per person achieved in 1988, marking a decrease of 824 kWh. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation has also seen a decline from a previous record, with the latest figure at 350 kWh per person compared to 377 kWh per person in 2010. This downward trend in both overall and clean electricity generation is worrisome, especially considering the need to expand electricity access and meet future demand through electrification.

Suggestions

For Azerbaijan to enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, lessons can be learned from successful regions with high clean energy integration. Countries like France and Slovakia have excelled in nuclear energy, generating over 65% of their electricity from this source, demonstrating the potential nuclear power holds for reliable and clean electricity. Meanwhile, states like Iowa and South Dakota show the effectiveness of wind energy, with over half of their electricity coming from wind power. In a similar vein, Lebanon makes a compelling case for the expansion of solar energy, with solar contributing to 31% of its electricity generation. By investing in nuclear and solar energy, Azerbaijan can diversify its energy mix and significantly boost its low-carbon electricity proportion.

History

The historical trajectory of low-carbon electricity in Azerbaijan has primarily been shaped by hydropower, with various fluctuations over the decades. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, there were modest increases, yet the years to follow saw some setbacks, most notably a decline in 1994 and 1999. The early 2000s heralded a period of relative stability with some incremental growth, such as in 2002 and 2003. However, substantial setbacks occurred between 2010 and 2012, where significant declines were noted. More recently, from 2022 to 2025, there have been noticeable gains particularly in 2024 and 2025, with recent growth in hydropower and a notable addition of solar energy. These recent advancements hint at a promising path forward, but further expansion and diversification into nuclear and solar power will be essential for a more sustainable energy future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade