Electricity in Azerbaijan in 2024
In 2024, Azerbaijan's electricity consumption heavily relies on fossil fuels, with almost 90% of the electricity generated from such sources. Specifically, natural gas, which alone accounts for more than 85%, dominates the energy mix. In contrast, low-carbon or clean electricity sources, such as hydropower and solar, make up nearly 12% of the total electricity consumption. While hydropower contributes close to 10%, solar energy is still quite limited, at just over 1%. This significant reliance on fossil fuels underscores the urgency and necessity of transitioning towards more sustainable and clean electricity generation methods in Azerbaijan.
Is Electricity Growing in Azerbaijan?
Exploring whether electricity consumption is growing in Azerbaijan reveals a concerning trend. The latest data shows an electricity consumption per capita of about 2837 kWh, reflecting a decrease of nearly 500 kWh per person compared to the historic high in 1988. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation is also facing a downturn. The recent figures indicate 339 kWh/person, down by almost 40 kWh from the peak recorded in 2010. These declines across both overall and low-carbon electricity generation suggest that Azerbaijan needs to refocus efforts to increase accessibility and production of clean electricity to stimulate sustainable growth and meet increasing demands driven by modern technological expansion.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Azerbaijan can draw lessons from countries with significant achievements in this domain. Looking at European countries like Ukraine and Slovakia, where nuclear power makes up over half and 60% of electricity generation respectively, Azerbaijan can adopt similar strategies to establish a stronger nuclear infrastructure. Additionally, the successful implementation of wind energy in Denmark and solar energy in Lebanon indicates that diversifying clean energy sources can accelerate low-carbon growth. By investing in and expanding its nuclear and solar power capacities, Azerbaijan can effectively transition away from fossil fuels, which are notorious contributors to climate change and adverse environmental impacts.
History
Examining the history of low-carbon electricity in Azerbaijan indicates sporadic development, with fluctuations primarily observed in hydropower output. The early 1980s saw minimal declines, while the 1990s introduced a few years of growth offset by subsequent reductions. Entering the 2000s, the pattern persisted, with some noteworthy increases, such as a 1.1 TWh increment in 2010, followed by consecutive declines. However, the most recent data for 2024 indicates a promising upturn with a 1.3 TWh boost in hydropower and an encouraging addition of 0.3 TWh from solar energy. This recent positive trend signals potential for developing a robust low-carbon energy sector, particularly through consistent investment and integration of solar technologies, aligning with ongoing global shifts towards greener, sustainable electricity solutions.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.