Azerbaijan and Türkiye have reached an agreement to speed up the implementation of major energy projects, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov announced on 1st August 2026.
Confirming the outcome of the meeting, Shahbazov shared the update on X, stating, “We discussed the next phase of our energy cooperation in Istanbul with my dear colleague Alparslan Bayraktar, Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. We agreed to accelerate the implementation of the Azerbaijan (Nakhchivan)-Türkiye Energy Interconnector and the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Türkiye-Bulgaria Green Energy Corridor projects.”
The ministers also examined opportunities for collaboration under the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor framework, with a focus on expanding regional connectivity through future energy projects. Referring to the significance of these initiatives, Shahbazov stated, “These regional energy connectivity projects will represent our next joint contributions to strengthening energy security.”
According to the Ministry of Energy, participants at the meeting expressed satisfaction with the continued progress of the strategic energy partnership between Azerbaijan and Türkiye across multiple areas. It was highlighted that the political will and backing of both countries’ heads of state remain a decisive factor in advancing electricity sector initiatives, following the example of landmark projects such as Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and TANAP.
Interconnector Progress and Green Energy Corridor Discussions
During the meeting, the outcomes of studies completed by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) on the Azerbaijan (Nakhchivan)-Türkiye energy interconnector were reviewed. The discussions indicated that transmitting 1 GW of electricity from Nakhchivan to Türkiye during the initial phase shows considerable promise. It was further noted that, over time, the project is expected to facilitate electricity transmission to Türkiye not only from sources located in Azerbaijan but also from Central Asia. The two sides also evaluated prospects for investor participation from Azerbaijan and Türkiye in these energy projects.
The meeting additionally covered efforts to strengthen the contractual and legal framework supporting the project on the transmission and trade of green electricity between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye, and Bulgaria. Discussions included progress on the feasibility study and the establishment of a Joint Venture, with both countries agreeing to accelerate the implementation of the project. Information was also presented on the findings of the feasibility study concerning the viability of the “Caspian – Black Sea – Europe Green Energy Corridor” project, while potential cooperation with Türkiye on the initiative was assessed. The conversation also included an exchange of views on Türkiye’s hosting of COP31 and cooperation in connection with the next meeting of the ‘Azerbaijan-Türkiye Energy Forum’.
