Green corridor
On April 4 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye, and Bulgaria signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Green Energy Corridor, aimed at expanding regional electricity transmission and trade, according to the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan. The initiative is aimed at transmitting renewable energy among the four countries, enhancing energy security, and promoting the use of clean energy. The project will enable the integration of Azerbaijan’s renewable energy sources into European markets, fostering regional cooperation. The document was signed in Baku as part of the 11th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council and the 3rd Ministerial Meeting of the Green Energy Advisory Council. The agreement provides for joint investment projects, the development of power infrastructure, and integration with the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E). The project envisions the export of renewable electricity from Azerbaijan to Europe via the Black Sea seabed. Georgia and Romania are also involved in its implementation. Commissioning is expected in 2030.
As an integral part of this project within the framework of COP29 in November 2024, an agreement was reached on the implementation of the “Central Asia – Azerbaijan” green energy corridor project through the Caspian Sea. On April 4, 2025, in Baku, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan reached an agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to begin the first stage of the green energy corridor project to Europe. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the energy ministries of the three countries, representatives of the ADB and AIIB, outlining cooperation in the preparation of the project’s feasibility study (FS), aimed at integrating the energy systems of the three states and establishing a pathway for the supply of green energy to Europe.
According to the Deputy Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan, Umid Mamadaminov, by 2030, the total capacity of renewable energy sources in Central Asia will exceed 30 GW. The energy corridor project is intended to provide the infrastructure necessary for exporting surplus renewable electricity to Europe.
“These initiatives mean more than just access to green energy. They strengthen regional cooperation. Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria are key players, while Georgia, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan are opening new horizons for green energy exports. This creates significant opportunities for the development of wind energy infrastructure in the Caspian region, equipment supply, energy trade, and project financing,” Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov noted.
It is worth noting that the countries of Central Asia rarely face the issue of the so-called “dark doldrums,” which Germany experienced until recently. In some regions - particularly in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan - there is an abundance of sunshine for most of the year, while in others, winds blow consistently. A significant part of Kazakhstan is characterized by strong and persistent steppe winds, and the country’s authorities intend to harness this potential. According to the Power Sector Development Program of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 500 MW of wind power capacity is planned to be commissioned by 2030, including the 50 MW Dzungarian Gates Wind Farm, with construction of the first phase already underway. The Dzungarian Gates form a wind corridor stretching 50 kilometers. According to expert estimates, the average annual wind speed at a height of 50 meters in this area is 9.7 m/s, with strong winds reaching up to 32 m/s not uncommon. The wind power density is 1,050 W/m², and the wind farm operates at full capacity for up to 4,400 hours per year. And undoubtedly, no EU country can compare with Uzbekistan in terms of solar energy potential.
There is a significant time zone difference between Central Asia and Western Europe, which makes it possible to transfer electricity from Central Asia to Europe via the green energy corridor through the South Caucasus during peak demand hours in the West, when electricity consumption in the East is at its lowest. It’s also important to note that Georgia, with its developed power sector, can enhance the efficiency of using this energy corridor, as it is hydropower plants that offer the highest flexibility and stability among renewable energy sources.
EU-Central Asia Summit
As an opportunity to expand this project to the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea - to the countries of Central Asia - on April 4, the European Union announced an investment package of 12 billion euros for Central Asian countries under the “Global Gateway” program.
This was stated on April 4 at the Central Asia–European Union summit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Spot.uz writes.
In her speech, the head of the European Commission highlighted four areas for cooperation between the regions: the Trans-Caspian Corridor, critical minerals, green energy, and digital connectivity.
She noted that the EU and the Central Asian countries can achieve a great deal in these priority areas.
“To accelerate progress, today I am proud to announce a 12 billion euro Global Gateway investment package. It will combine investments from the European Union and member states,” Ursula von der Leyen said. According to her, this is a “European team approach,” noting that the new investment package will launch a new series of projects in Central Asia.
The €12 billion investment package will be distributed across four areas: transport (€3 billion), critical minerals (€2.5 billion), hydropower and climate (€6.4 billion), and satellite internet (€100 million).
Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that two more forums to be held this year will serve as an opportunity to assess progress and identify new areas of cooperation. In addition, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is developing a project package worth approximately 7-8 billion euros by 2027, which includes areas such as critical minerals and renewable energy.
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov proposed to the European Union to establish a partnership in the development of critical raw materials in the country, reports Fergana, citing the press service of the President.
In his speech at the “Central Asia – EU” summit in Samarkand, Japarov noted that “Kyrgyzstan has significant reserves of rare and valuable metals. We propose to intensify cooperation in this area by formalizing it as a separate partnership or ‘roadmap,’ similar to what has already been done between the European Union and some of our neighbors,” the politician clarified.
The President of Kyrgyzstan also noted the 2.4-fold increase in trade turnover with European Union countries over the past four years, which became possible due to market openness and the “Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus” initiative. Japarov emphasized the strategically advantageous geographical location of Kyrgyzstan and its growing transit potential.
The head of the republic proposed that Europeans join large-scale hydropower projects, particularly the implementation of the Kambar-Atynska Hydropower Plant-1 project, being carried out in cooperation with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The President of Kyrgyzstan also spoke about the country’s interest in expanding cooperation with the European Union in the field of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies.
“Over the past year, we commissioned 18 small hydropower plants, and this year we are building 15 more such facilities. At the same time, we launched solar energy projects with a total capacity of over 400 MW. In the context of global climate change, the transition to a ‘green’ economy and the development of renewable energy sources are our only path to sustainable development,” Japarov concluded.
Tajikistan aims to boost its exports to Europe, particularly by leveraging trade preferences. This was stated by President Emomali Rahmon during his address at the Central Asia–European Union Summit held in Samarkand on April 4, according to the press service of the President of Tajikistan. He also highlighted the key role of the “Roadmap for Deepening Cooperation between Central Asia and the European Union,” which has laid the foundation for expanding interregional cooperation and connectivity. He noted that for Tajikistan, the energy sector - particularly renewable energy - is a priority not only for meeting national needs but also for advancing regional cooperation.
Tajikistan is interested in cooperating with the EU in the field of green energy, as well as in modernizing its hydropower facilities, including the Nurek, Sebzor, and Kayrakkum hydroelectric power plants. The head of state emphasized the importance of renewable energy sources and stated that Tajikistan plans by 2030 to increase the share of electricity generated from solar and wind sources to 10% of the total volume.
Additionally, Emomali Rahmon expressed confidence that the EU will actively participate in international initiatives such as glacier protection, as well as in infrastructure development, including the CASA-1000 project for electricity transmission to South Asia.
The President reminded that the first high-level international conference on glacier protection will be held in May in Dushanbe, with expected participation from European and regional partners. There are over 13,000 glaciers located within Tajikistan, covering more than 6% of the country’s total area. They feed the Amu Darya and Syr Darya Rivers, about 60% of the total water resources of which are formed within the Republic of Tajikistan. However, due to accelerated glacier melting over the past 50-70 years, their number has decreased from 14,000 to 13,000 — more than 1,000 glaciers have disappeared. This alarming trend threatens not only biodiversity, hydropower, and agriculture but also jeopardizes water security for both Tajikistan and the entire region.
The preservation of glaciers is critically important for Central Asian countries, which lack access to open seas but possess significant hydropower resources, vast solar and wind energy potential, as well as bioenergy capacity, all of which can contribute to the energy, industrial, and food security not only of the EU but beyond. The Green Corridor project will be the first integrated energy initiative involving more than 30 countries simultaneously - nearly one-fifth of all UN members. Therefore, considering the flexible and open potential for further geographic expansion of the Central Asia–EU Green Corridor, this project could qualify for UN status and related privileges.
It could also become an energy partner in the Belt and Road Initiative - launched by China 10 years ago to create a global infrastructure and energy network connecting Asia with Africa and Europe via land and sea routes. To date, this initiative has implemented 3,000 transport projects with $1 trillion in investments.
