Mamadaminov: First phase of Caspian energy corridor feasibility study to be completed in January 2027 - EXCLUSIVE

The first phase of the feasibility study for the Caspian Green Energy Corridor project, which will connect Central Asia with Europe through Azerbaijan, is expected to be completed by January 2027.

Umid Mamadaminov, Uzbekistan's Deputy Minister of Energy, told Report on the sidelines of the 5th Tashkent International Investment Forum.

According to Mamadaminov, preparatory work on the feasibility study has already begun, and Italian engineering and consulting company CESI has been selected as the project's lead consultant.

"We expect the first phase of the feasibility study to be completed by January 2027. This will provide the technical, economic and commercial basis for moving the project to the next stage of implementation," he said.

He stressed that the green energy corridor is one of the most strategically important energy initiatives being implemented in the Central Asian region. According to him, the project is aimed at exporting electricity generated from renewable sources in Central Asia to European markets through a dedicated transmission corridor crossing the Caspian Sea.

"Central Asia has enormous renewable energy resources, especially significant wind and solar generation potential. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan alone are implementing large-scale renewable energy development programs that will create significant opportunities for future exports of green electricity. The Green Energy Corridor is intended to unlock this regional potential and strengthen energy connectivity between Central Asia and Europe," Mamadaminov said.

According to the deputy minister, all participating countries are jointly involved in implementing the initiative, and a dedicated project company has already been established to coordinate the project.

Mamadaminov stressed that the project is based on proven technologies that are already being successfully used in other regions of the world.

"This is not an experimental concept. Similar high-voltage subsea interconnection projects are already operating successfully between a number of countries, including NorNed between Norway and the Netherlands, BritNed between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, North Sea Link between Norway and the United Kingdom, NordLink between Germany and Norway, Viking Link between Denmark and the United Kingdom, as well as the SAPEI cable connecting mainland Italy with Sardinia. What makes this project unique is that it will create the first direct green energy bridge between Central Asia and Europe," he said.

Commenting on broader regional cooperation, Mamadaminov said Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan continue to strengthen their strategic partnership in the energy sector.

"In particular, Azerbaijan's SOCAR and Uzbekneftegaz are actively cooperating in a number of areas of the oil and gas industry," he said.

He added that energy cooperation between the two countries goes beyond traditional hydrocarbons and increasingly covers renewable energy development, regional energy connectivity and long-term energy security initiatives.