Azerbaijan plans regional power bridge to Turkey via Zangazur route, minister says

Azerbaijan plans to build a regional power bridge linking Central Asia to Turkey via the Zangazur transport corridor, Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said on Friday, as the South Caucasus nation steps up green energy export projects to Europe.

The proposed transmission line is designed to synchronize the electricity networks of Turkic states located on both sides of the Caspian Sea, Shahbazov told the Azerbaijan–Turkey Energy Forum in Baku.

Baku is also advancing a terrestrial green energy corridor through Georgia and Turkey to Bulgaria, with feasibility studies and a joint venture framework already underway, the minister said. He added that Turkey should consider participating in a planned subsea Black Sea cable to Europe, targeted for phased commissioning in 2030–2032.

"Regional cooperation in electricity is a key priority, and these corridors are strategically vital not only for power exports, but for diversifying routes and integrating transmission systems," Shahbazov said.

Azerbaijan, a major supplier of oil and natural gas to Europe via pipeline networks, is investing heavily in renewables across territories recaptured from Armenian control.

Shahbazov said Turkish companies are expanding their footprint in the domestic renewable sector. Four small hydropower plants under construction in Kalbajar and Lachin are scheduled to begin operations by the end of the year.

In addition, Turkish firm Baltech is conducting site assessments for a 240-megawatt (MW) wind project in Kalbajar, while investors from Turkey are exploring 1,000 MW of planned solar capacity in the Nakhchivan exclave, he said.

Shahbazov also called on both countries to integrate artificial intelligence and digital grid management into their bilateral energy agenda, and pledged Baku's institutional backing for Turkey as it prepares to host the COP31 United Nations climate summit.