Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan sign roadmap to broaden energy cooperation
BAKU. Aug 29 (Interfax) - Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have signed a roadmap to broaden energy cooperation, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said on social media
"Today, we signed the road map on the expansion of cooperation in the field of energy as part of the development course of relations with Uzbekistan at a completely new level. Liberated areas, green energy are priority directions in our multidimensional cooperation," he said.
The Azerbaijani Energy Ministry told Interfax the road map covered 30 areas for implementation in 2022-2023, including the creation of a joint working group, cooperation in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan and the participation of Uzbek companies in renewable energy projects.
Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan will cooperate in energy transition and decarbonization, oil, gas and chemical product export and import, oil refining, exploration and hydrocarbons production.
"The document also provides for swapping expertise in the construction of thermal power plants through private investment, heat supply, relaxation of energy markets, efficient use of energy resources, organization of joint training, promotion of mutual investment and cooperation between energy regulators," the ministry said.
State Oil Company of the Azerbaijani Republic (SOCAR) has already worked with partners in Uzbekistan. In May 2019, BP Exploration, SOCAR and Uzbekneftegaz signed an agreement on joint studies to assess the potential of three investment blocks in Uzbekistan's Ustyurt region, in the country's sector of the Aral Sea, the Samsko-Kosbulak and Baiterek blocks. In July 2022, SOCAR and Uzbekneftegaz agreed to expand cooperation in the oil and gas sector and signed a road map to this effect.
It was also reported earlier that SOCAR and Uzbekneftegaz plan to open a trading division in the United Arab Emirates.
SOCAR recently unveiled plans to participate in chemical projects in Uzbekistan that will cost a total of $2.7 billion.