Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan approve energy collaboration plan through 2029

BAKU. Sept 17 (Interfax) - Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have signed a roadmap to expand collaboration in the energy sector for 2026-2028, Azerbaijan's Energy Ministry said.

"A meeting took place in Baku on Thursday between the energy ministers of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, Parviz Shahbazov and Sherzod Khodjaev. The parties discussed the current state of collaboration in the oil and gas sector, the electric power industry, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and regulation, as well as mutual investments and other areas," according to the statement.

The meeting also highlighted the strategic importance of the Central Asia-Azerbaijan green energy corridor project. It was noted that the green electricity transmission routes to Europe via the Black Sea and Turkey, currently being developed by Azerbaijan, create opportunities to establish a broader energy corridor stretching from Central Asia to Europe.

"A 'Roadmap for Expanding Energy Collaboration between the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan for 2026-2028' was signed during the meeting," according to the statement.

The document outlines implementing the Central Asia-Azerbaijan energy corridor project, collaborating hydrocarbon exploration and production, supplying of oil and petroleum products, developing joint processing projects, expanding the operations of the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) in Uzbekistan, and exchanging expertise in energy efficiency and thermal energy.