BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. Masdar is dedicated
to taking part alongside the UAE delegation at COP29 and appears
ahead to supporting Azerbaijan’s authorities for a profitable COP
this 12 months, Maryam Al Mazrouei, Head of Improvement and Funding
(CIS) at Masdar, informed Pattern in an unique interview.
“Each initiative undertaken by Masdar in Azerbaijan contributes
to the nationwide goal of tripling renewable power capability by
2030, which aligns with the nation’s purpose of reaching 30 %
capability of renewable power by the identical 12 months. As a part of the UAE
delegation, we shall be actually taking part eagerly,” she
stated.
Talking of the potential of inking extra offers between
Azerbaijan and Masdar as a part of the COP occasion, Al Mazrouei famous
that she shall be “personally passionate about pushing ahead and
signing extra agreements” between the perimeters.
“Azerbaijan is a key strategic marketplace for Masdar. We started
discussions with the Ministry of Vitality in 2018-2019, and as we
converse, we have already got one operational undertaking. The 230 MW Garadagh
photo voltaic PV undertaking was inaugurated and has been a fantastic success. With
the strategic collaboration between Masdar, the Ministry of Vitality
of Azerbaijan, and Azerenergy, we goal to increase and construct on this
success,” the corporate rep added.
Based on Al Mazrouei, Masdar is at the moment trying to
implement a battery storage undertaking in Azerbaijan.
“Within the area of power storage right here in Azerbaijan, we’re
at the moment in discussions with the Ministry of Vitality. We’re very
desirous to implement the nation’s first battery storage undertaking,
which is able to undoubtedly support in grid stabilization efforts. Nevertheless,
it’s nonetheless in its nascent phases,” she stated.
Al Mazrouei identified that Masdar is likely one of the main
builders of inexperienced power and stays technology-agnostic. “Our
focus lies on a number of core developments, together with photo voltaic PV,
hydropower, onshore and offshore wind. Moreover, we contemplate
secondary applied sciences resembling waste-to-energy and geothermal
options”.
“Subsequently, battery storage aligns effectively with Masdar’s total
technological panorama. We keep an open stance in direction of areas
and applied sciences, with none constraints. Wherever we understand a
possible undertaking that additionally aligns with the nation’s aims, we
are desirous to provoke and propel it ahead,” she elaborated.
Additional talking, the corporate consultant highlighted
Masdar’s curiosity within the feasibility research to expedite offshore
wind potential within the Caspian. “The event of offshore wind in
the Caspian Sea is a part of the primary part of an settlement on
renewable power improvement in Azerbaijan, and the technical
feasibility research are ongoing. As soon as we now have readability, we’ll
agree with the federal government on the subsequent steps for the implementation
of offshore wind and inexperienced hydrogen”.
Al Mazrouei famous that there’s vital curiosity from
numerous builders and traders in tapping into the huge potential
for offshore wind within the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian,
estimated at 157 GW.
“Nevertheless, offshore wind is extra complicated, in comparison with photo voltaic and
onshore wind. Logistics, provide chain, and technical assessments
are extra demanding, and it is usually costlier. Thus, the
improvement lifecycle for offshore wind is significantly longer,
that means it should take a while to implement such a undertaking,” she
defined.
Maryam Al Mazrouei additional reminded that, in 2022, Masdar signed
two implementation agreements with Azerbaijan within the metropolis of
Shusha, masking a program of 10 GW. “This begins with the primary
part of 4 GW and doubtlessly expands to a second part of 6
GW”.
“The primary part consists of 1 GW of onshore wind, 1 GW of photo voltaic,
and a couple of GW of offshore wind and inexperienced hydrogen potential. This part
already covers two photo voltaic PV tasks and one onshore wind undertaking:
the 445 MW Bilasuvar Photo voltaic PV Venture, the 315 MW Neftchala Photo voltaic
PV Venture, and the 240 MW Absheron-Garadagh Onshore Wind Venture.
On this part, we signed the principle undertaking agreements, together with the
PPA, CCA, land use settlement, and funding settlement. We plan to
expedite the event and full the development of those
tasks to satisfy the expectations of the nation’s management. We
are advancing the event of the subsequent gigawatt of the onshore
undertaking and learning the technical feasibility of inexperienced hydrogen
and offshore potential. It is ongoing. I might say will probably be
accomplished very quickly. Relating to the implementation of specific
tasks, it should rely on the end result of the examine. So as soon as we
have a transparent final result, then we may have a transparent plan for the
implementation,” she added.
Maryam Al Mazrouei went on so as to add that Masdar has a really broad
portfolio in Central Asia as effectively. “Significantly in Uzbekistan,
the place we now have Masdar’s largest portfolio within the area. Azerbaijan
comes second, with tasks amounting to 1.2 GW, together with a 230 MW
undertaking. We’re additionally lively in Kazakhstan, the place we now have signed
agreements for 1 GW and have began with 500 MW onshore.
Moreover, we’re creating a 100 MW photo voltaic undertaking in
Georgia”.
Particularly, Masdar is at the moment in talks with Uzbekistan relating to a
pumped storage hydro undertaking, whereas technical evaluation is
underway. “Relating to pumped storage hydro, it helps stabilize the
grid extra successfully than battery storage, which has decrease
capability and protection time. Pumped storage permits for constructing
bigger capacities and presents higher management over grid stability. We
are in direct discussions with Uzbek Hydro Vitality and are at the moment
conducting a technical evaluation. As soon as we now have readability, we’ll
proceed with the implementation of the undertaking”.
Based on Al Mazrouei, Masdar’s present portfolio in
Uzbekistan consists of 2 GW of operational and under-construction
tasks. “Moreover, we now have a dedicated pipeline of two GW of
onshore wind beneath improvement and a 1.5 gigawatt-hour battery
storage system. Other than the two GW nearing completion and
operational standing, we’re additionally increasing our footprint and
creating extra tasks in Uzbekistan”.
Moreover, discussions between the Ministry of Vitality of
Kyrgyzstan and Masdar on additional renewables exploration are ongoing
as effectively.
“In Kyrgyzstan, we’re very lively in hydropower and are additionally
engaged on photo voltaic tasks. We have now a program with them for 1 GW,
beginning with the primary part of a photo voltaic PV undertaking. Discussions
with the Kyrgyz Ministry of Vitality are ongoing,” she stated.
Maryam Al Mazrouei reminded that final 12 months, Masdar signed an
settlement with the Kyrgyz authorities alongside EDF for the
improvement of hydropower in Kyrgyzstan. “Discussions with the
authorities are ongoing. As you may know, creating hydropower
takes longer than photo voltaic and wind tasks. Nevertheless, we’re
conducting the mandatory research, and hopefully, it should come to
fruition. The timeline will rely on the progress of our
discussions with the Kyrgyz authorities”.
