Saudi Arabia signs renewable energy partnership with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan at COP29

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman has signed a joint executive program with the energy ministers of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to strengthen partnerships in renewable energy development and transfer. The signing took place on the sidelines of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, with high-profile attendees, including Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym Tokayev and Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The executive program aims to enhance energy infrastructure efficiency and integrate renewable projects into each country’s national grid. It also opens avenues for joint investments and regional electricity interconnections, supporting Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power’s renewable initiatives. This cooperation follows earlier memoranda and agreements between Saudi Arabia and the participating countries.

In addition, ACWA Power secured two pivotal agreements. The first, with Uzbekistan's Ministry of Energy, targets battery energy storage systems (BESS) with a capacity of up to 2 GWh, aimed at stabilizing the power grid. The second, in collaboration with Azerbaijan’s SOCAR and Masdar, is set to develop a 3.5 GW offshore wind project in the Caspian Sea, marking a pioneering renewable energy initiative in Azerbaijan.

A Saudi-Azerbaijani roadmap was also unveiled to streamline cooperation across key areas, including renewable energy, carbon capture, clean hydrogen, energy efficiency and sustainable supply chain development. The roadmap sets a timeline for priority projects, facilitating progress in refined products, petrochemical trade and regional electricity interconnection.

This landmark program cements Saudi Arabia’s role in advancing renewable energy infrastructure and energy security in Central Asia, showcasing a proactive approach to fostering sustainable energy solutions and regional economic cooperation.