Electricity in Azerbaijan in 2022

In 2022, the electricity consumption in Azerbaijan was heavily reliant on fossil fuels. More than 93% of the electricity came from fossil energy, with gas accounting for almost all of it. In stark contrast, only about 6% of the electricity came from low-carbon sources, which primarily included hydropower at around 5.5%. This substantial reliance on fossil energy highlights the need for Azerbaijan to diversify its energy portfolio towards more sustainable and clean sources of electricity, such as nuclear, wind, and solar, to mitigate climate change impacts and reduce air pollution.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Azerbaijan could learn from countries that have successfully expanded their clean energy sectors. Countries with significant nuclear power generation, such as Armenia and Ukraine, show that transitioning towards nuclear energy can provide a stable and large-scale source of low-carbon electricity. Additionally, Denmark and Lithuania have demonstrated the potential of wind energy, generating 59% and 34% of their electricity from wind, respectively. Azerbaijan could consider leveraging its natural resources, such as favorable wind patterns or expanding nuclear capabilities, to boost its low-carbon electricity output.

History

Over the past decades, Azerbaijan has experienced fluctuating trends in hydropower generation. In the early 1990s, hydroelectricity saw a slight increase, followed by a series of decreases and moderate gains. The turn of the millennium witnessed some growth, with 2002 and 2010 marking notable increases of 0.7 and 1.1 TWh, respectively. However, these gains were not sustained, as subsequent years presented decreases or modest growth, illustrating the challenges faced in stabilizing and increasing clean energy production. To address these fluctuations and enhance its environmental impact positively, Azerbaijan should consider integrating a diverse mix of low-carbon energy sources, such as nuclear and wind, to ensure a more sustainable and steady electricity supply for the future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources