Day: June 5, 2024

Slovenia stands poised to support Azerbaijan in realizing ambitious outcomes at COP29, noted Tina Seršen, Slovenia’s State Secretary of Energy in the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting Trend.

“COP29 stands as a pivotal milestone in our collective efforts to implement the Paris Agreement. As the impacts of climate change intensify, it becomes increasingly imperative for nations to unite in addressing this global challenge.

Slovenia and Azerbaijan possess unique strengths and a shared dedication to climate action, positioning us to forge a meaningful partnership at COP29. In the realm of climate negotiations, financing the transition to net-zero emissions and climate-resilient development will undoubtedly be paramount. Slovenia has demonstrated its commitment to climate finance, exemplified by its pledge of €1.5 million to the Loss and Damage Fund, aimed at assisting the most vulnerable nations and communities. As one of the smallest country-sized donors, this commitment serves as a significant signal within the complex multilateral landscape,” she said.

Seršen noted that the recent Global Stocktake underscored the urgency for additional action to align with the Paris Agreement’s objectives.

“It emphasized the imperative of transitioning away from fossil fuels, a mission Slovenia fully embraces. With firm commitments to achieving climate targets by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050, Slovenia recognizes renewable energy as a cornerstone of the green transition. Joint initiatives in renewable energy and energy efficiency measures not only benefit our nations but also contribute positively to the wider international community,” noted the state secretary.

Tina Seršen pointed out that furthermore, sectors such as water and agriculture hold paramount importance for both Slovenia and Azerbaijan.

“We are eager to advance agendas in these fields, understanding that sectoral approaches play an increasingly vital role in climate action. As we stand poised to support Azerbaijan in realizing ambitious outcomes at COP29, we recognize that our collaboration extends beyond mere solidarity. It is a testament to the urgent imperative for collective action in addressing the existential threat of climate change. The leadership demonstrated by Azerbaijan in this critical juncture has the potential to catalyze substantive progress towards a sustainable future for all,” she added.

Seršen pointed out that Slovenia welcomes Azerbaijan’s every initiative for future cooperation in renewables sector.

She noted that Slovenia is Europe’s largest manufacturer of solar panels and one of the largest European supplier of water turbines.

“Both Slovenian suppliers together with many other smaller suppliers of different services and goods from the field of renewable energy, are offering their know-how, services and support with implementation of renewable energy in a nature-friendly way. Slovenia would be grateful if Azerbaijan brings to attention their planned renewable projects as well as suppliers of services and goods, and welcomes Azerbaijan’s every initiative for future cooperation of both countries in the renewables sector,” added Tina Seršen.

Prospects for gas supplies

“Ensuring Slovenia’s gas supply security requires access to multiple gas sources. In recent years we have put efforts into reducing reliance on Russian gas and we must continue with diversification of sources, supply routes and supply partners. Azerbaijan obviously presents itself as a promising partner in this respect and I believe it can offer us opportunity for a stable and long-term gas supply. Considering we have friendly historical ties among the two countries, it is also perhaps easier for us to engage in business opportunities in the energy field,” she said.

Tina Seršen said Slovenia estimates the expected amount of gas coming from Azerbaijan would reach around 0,3 bcm per year.

“Since the supply route would go via Italy, we are currently working on increasing the cross-border pipeline capacity. The works will be finished by 2025,” she added.

The post Tina Seršen: Slovenia stands poised to support Azerbaijan in realizing ambitious outcomes at COP29 appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.

Solar power plants in Azerbaijan’s Neftchala and Bilasuvar are expected to be commissioned in 2026, while construction of the Absheron-Garadagh wind power plant will take three years, Murad Sadikhov, Director of Masdar Azerbaijan said in an exclusive interview, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting Trend.

Sadikhov emphasized that these projects are part of UAE-based Masdar’s mega-project initiative.

“On June 4, 2022, in Shusha, we signed two implementation agreements with the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan. As part of these projects, we planned to build and commission power plants with a capacity of 1 gigawatt of solar and 1 gigawatt of wind energy in the first and second phases each.

On June 4, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the 1-gigawatt project as part of the first phase. These projects include the 240 MW Absheron-Garadagh wind power plant (located on the Baku-Shamakhi highway, in the territory of Absheron and Garadagh), a 315 MW solar power plant in the Banke settlement of Neftchala region, and a 445 MW solar power plant in Bilasuvar. Construction of the solar power plants will be completed in approximately two years, with full operation expected in the second quarter of 2026. The wind power plant’s construction and commissioning will take about three years. These are preliminary calculations, and a more precise schedule will be presented later as the projects develop,” he explained.

On June 4, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber laid foundation stones for Neftchala, Bilasuvar solar power plants and Absheron-Garadagh wind power plant.

The ceremony took place at the opening of the 29th International Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition – Caspian Oil & Gas and the 12th Caspian International Power and Green Energy Exhibition – Caspian Power as part of the Baku Energy Week at the Baku Expo Center.

Annex to Investment Agreement, Energy Purchase Agreement, Agreement on Connection to Transmission Network and Land Lease Agreement on projects of 445 MW Bilasuvar SPP, 315 MW Neftchala SPP and 240 MW Absheron-Garadagh WPP were signed between the Ministry of Energy and Azerenergy OJSC and Masdar of the United Arab Emirates on June 4 in Baku.

The post Masdar Azerbaijan announces completion dates for three renewable energy projects appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent a congratulatory message to the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Narendra Modi, on the occasion of the successful national parliamentary elections and the crucial victory of the National Democratic Alliance. The message reads as follows,

“I warmly congratulate you on the successful general elections held in the Republic of India and on the crucial victory of the National Democratic Alliance under your leadership.

These historic elections re-affirmed the commitment of the Indian people to democratic values, ensuring and strengthening the continuous dynamic development and achievements of the friendly country of India in various spheres. I am confident that during your upcoming tenure, following the declared principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” India will continue to share its achievements in the fields of economy, technologies, education, health and space research for the sake of global good.

I am pleased to note that in recent years we have jointly succeeded in bringing the historically friendly relations between our peoples to a qualitatively new level, thus creating a sound basis for developing a strategic dialogue. Armenia is ready to exert every effort for further strengthening and advancing this dialogue.

I believe we will have the opportunity to meet in the near future and share our vision on further promoting the Armenia-India bilateral agenda.

I wish you good health and ever-new achievements, and I wish lasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of India.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration”.

New banknotes featuring the portrait of King Charles III have now entered circulation, but it may be some time before they are commonly seen in wallets and purses, the BBC reports.

The new Bank of England notes will gradually replace those which are damaged, or will be issued when demand increases.

The King is only the second monarch to appear on these notes, with Queen Elizabeth II first featuring in 1960.

Shoppers can still use current circulating £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes carrying the portrait of the late Queen.

The reverse side of current polymer Bank of England banknotes, which in ascending order feature Sir Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner and Alan Turing, are unchanged. Notes issued in Scotland and Northern Ireland feature other images, and not the monarch.

The first new banknotes were printed last year, with the long lead-in time allowing automated machines that accept cash to be updated to recognize the new designs. The King’s portrait is based on a picture taken in 2013.