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Report on Azerbaijan-China Strategic Partnership in Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development

1.0 Introduction: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

Azerbaijan and the People’s Republic of China are intensifying their strategic partnership in the renewable energy sector. This collaboration is a critical component of both nations’ commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The partnership aims to accelerate the global green energy transition by leveraging joint expertise in technology, infrastructure, and investment, positioning both countries as key contributors to a sustainable energy future.

2.0 Strategic Framework and Policy Alignment

The cooperation is underpinned by high-level strategic agreements that institutionalize the commitment to sustainable development and green energy.

• Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: The Joint Declaration signed in April 2024 established a comprehensive strategic partnership, marking a new phase of cooperation. This framework moves beyond traditional energy trade to encompass technology transfer and infrastructure modernization, directly supporting SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
• National Energy Strategy: For Azerbaijan, this partnership is integral to its national strategy of diversifying its energy mix beyond hydrocarbons and becoming a regional clean energy hub. This aligns with national ambitions for sustainable economic growth (SDG 8) and energy security.
• Global Initiatives: From China’s perspective, the collaboration is synergistic with its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which increasingly prioritizes sustainable development. This international cooperation exemplifies the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering global and regional connectivity for sustainable energy export.

3.0 Key Collaborative Projects and Initiatives

Recent discussions between Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, and the Vice President of China Energy Engineering Corporation Limited (CEEC), Lu Xu, have outlined several priority projects aimed at achieving tangible progress towards SDG 7.

1. Renewable Energy Generation: The primary focus is on the production and export of clean energy. Key areas include:
   • Onshore and offshore wind power projects.
   • Large-scale solar power generation.
   • Hydropower and battery storage systems.
2. Infrastructure and Technology Development: To support the generation capacity, the partnership includes critical infrastructure projects that advance SDG 9.
   • Development and modernization of power transmission networks.
   • Supply of equipment for solar power plants with a projected total capacity of 760 MW.
   • Establishment of a Joint Research Center for Green Energy Development to foster innovation.
3. Long-Term Capacity Goals: The strategic cooperation with CEEC aims to implement projects generating at least 1,000 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2032, providing a clear roadmap for climate action (SDG 13).

4.0 Regional and Global Implications

The successful implementation of these joint initiatives carries significant implications for regional energy dynamics and the global pursuit of the SDGs.

• Regional Clean Energy Hub: The partnership reinforces Azerbaijan’s strategic goal, supported by agreements such as the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Washington in August 2025, to export renewable electricity to neighboring and European markets. This positions the nation as a vital link in the East-West green energy corridor.
• Contribution to Climate Action (SDG 13): By scaling up renewable energy production, the collaboration directly contributes to reducing global carbon emissions and advancing the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
• Model for International Partnership (SDG 17): The Azerbaijan-China partnership serves as a model for how bilateral cooperation can accelerate the green transition through shared vision, political commitment, and resource mobilization, transforming the Caspian region into a center for renewable energy innovation.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article is centered on the cooperation between Azerbaijan and China in the field of renewable energy. It explicitly mentions the production and export of “onshore and offshore wind energy, as well as solar power,” which directly supports the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The partnership involves significant infrastructure projects. The text highlights discussions on the “development of transmission networks” and the “enhancement of power grid infrastructure.” This focus on building resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure is a core component of SDG 9.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  By focusing on “green energy” and an “energy transition” away from hydrocarbons, the partnership directly contributes to climate change mitigation efforts. The article frames this cooperation as part of advancing the “global green energy agenda,” which is central to taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The entire article describes a bilateral partnership between Azerbaijan and China to achieve sustainable development. It details a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” technology transfer (“access to advanced green technologies”), investment, and joint initiatives like the “Joint Research Center for Green Energy Development,” all of which exemplify the collaborative approach promoted by SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

  The article details Azerbaijan’s ambition to scale up its renewable energy production through projects in solar, wind, and hydropower. The implementation of projects totaling “at least 1,000 MW of capacity by 2032” is a direct action towards increasing the share of renewables in its energy mix.

• Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.

  The cooperation with China Energy Engineering Corporation Limited (CEEC) provides Azerbaijan with “access to advanced green technologies, engineering expertise, and investment resources.” The establishment of a “Joint Research Center for Green Energy Development” is a clear example of enhancing international cooperation in clean energy research.

• Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being.

  The partnership includes plans for the “development of transmission networks” and the “enhancement of power grid infrastructure.” These actions are aimed at building the necessary sustainable infrastructure to support the country’s transition to renewable energy and its goal of becoming a regional clean energy hub.

• Target 17.7: Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries on favourable terms…

  The article states that for Azerbaijan, “collaboration with China offers access to advanced green technologies, engineering expertise, and investment resources.” This describes the transfer and diffusion of environmentally sound renewable energy technologies from China to Azerbaijan.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Installed Renewable Energy Capacity: The article provides specific figures that can be used as quantitative indicators.
  • Supply of equipment for solar power plants with a total capacity of 760 MW.
  • Implementation of projects totaling at least 1,000 MW of capacity by 2032.
• Types of Renewable Energy Projects: The article specifies the types of technologies being implemented, which is a qualitative indicator of diversification.
  • Onshore and offshore wind energy.
  • Solar energy.
  • Hydropower.
  • Battery storage systems.
• Formal Agreements and Institutions: The existence of formal partnerships and joint institutions serves as an indicator of progress in international cooperation (SDG 17).
  • The signing of the “Joint Declaration on the Establishment of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Relations.”
  • The establishment of a “Joint Research Center for Green Energy Development.”
• Infrastructure Development Projects: The implementation of specific infrastructure projects is an indicator for SDG 9.
  • The development of transmission networks.
  • The enhancement of power grid infrastructure.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: azernews.az