Officially registered in Baku, Green Corridor Union LLC will coordinate efforts to export surplus renewable electricity from Central Asia to Europe via high-voltage transmission infrastructure.
More than a strategic partnership, this initiative signals a geopolitical and economic shift toward interregional cooperation, sustainability, and energy diversification — themes high on the agenda for European institutions and markets increasingly turning toward cleaner alternatives.
From vision to action
The roots of the project stretch back to COP29 in Baku, where the presidents of all three countries signed a declaration on strategic cooperation in green energy. A few days ago, the vision became reality: Uzbekistan’s National Electric Grids, Kazakhstan’s KEGOC, and Azerbaijan’s AzerEnergy signed the founding documents to create Green Corridor Union LLC. The company is now headed by Farhad Mammadov.
The corridor aims to connect solar and wind-rich regions in Central Asia to European energy grids via a complex chain of transmission infrastructure: across Kazakhstan, beneath the Caspian Sea, through Azerbaijan and Georgia, and ultimately into Romania — a plan that would link the Caspian Basin to the heart of the European Union.
Azerbaijan: Gateway to Europe
Azerbaijan, with its growing renewable capacity and strategic Black Sea access, is set to play the role of final connector in the Green Corridor. From its shores, the power generated in Central Asia would cross the Black Sea via a proposed subsea cable toward Romania, forming what could become the first trans-Caspian green energy link to the EU.
“The unification of our energy systems is both a strategic and historic step,” said Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov. “This initiative marks the beginning of the Caspian Green Energy Corridor — the first of its kind.”
Azerbaijan has already signed a memorandum of cooperation with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, with plans to conclude an Intergovernmental Agreement on Strategic Partnership in Green Energy during COP29.
According to Shahbazov, the countries are now conducting feasibility studies for laying a high-voltage cable under the Caspian Sea and through Georgia into Europe.
Azerbaijan’s energy capacity stands at 8.4 GW, with renewables accounting for over 21% of that figure. The country exported over 1.2 billion kWh of electricity in the first nine months of 2024 alone.
“This is about more than just power lines,” Shahbazov noted. “It’s about aligning our technologies, policies, and long-term ambitions together with Europe.”
Uzbekistan’s investment boom
Uzbekistan has rapidly accelerated its green energy transformation. According to the Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan, Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, the country expects to produce more than 135 billion kWh of electricity by 2030, with 10-15 billion kWh available for export, much of it from solar and wind.
“Over just one year, we tripled investment in green energy,” Mirzamakhmudov told Euronews. “In 2023, €1.2 billion in foreign direct investment was absorbed by the sector. By the end of 2024, we expect that figure to exceed €4.23 billion euros.”
These investments are not only building capacity — they are reshaping the energy map of Uzbekistan. The country now has more than 4.2 GW of renewable capacity online, with plans to reach 20 GW by 2030, amounting to 40% of total electricity generation. Solar and wind projects are underway in nearly every region, from the deserts of Navoi to the steppes of Karakalpakstan.
The minister emphasized that “all projects are supported by a reliable legal framework, and the President personally monitors their progress”. According to Mirzamakhmudov, Uzbekistan’s renewable output this year has already saved 1.3 billion cubic metres of gas and reduced emissions by 1.8 million tons of CO₂, representing measurable progress toward its COP commitments.
Kazakhstan: From transit to transformation
For Kazakhstan, the Green Corridor is more than just a passage — it's a strategic investment in regional leadership and green growth.
“This project is one of the most strategically important for our energy sector,” said Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy, Erlan Akkenzhenov. “It allows us to capitalise on our renewable potential and establish a sustainable export route for clean electricity to Europe.”
The country’s role as a key transit hub will be supported by KEGOC, which is responsible for national grid operations. While financial commitments are still being negotiated, Kazakhstan has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with partners and financial institutions including the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which are supporting the preparation of feasibility studies.
“We don’t see insurmountable technical barriers,” Akkenzhenov told Euronews. “The logistics are clear: energy flows from Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan, across the Caspian, through Azerbaijan and beyond.”
He sees the project as a model for future cross-border energy cooperation, not just within Central Asia but between the region and Europe. “It’s a project of the future,” he added. “One that connects energy, environment, and economic opportunity”.
European eyes on the corridor
As Europe pushes toward climate neutrality and energy security, initiatives like the Green Corridor are drawing increasing interest. The proposed interconnection would not only boost supply diversification for Europe but also bring long-term geopolitical and economic benefits both to the EU and Central Asia.
The project aligns with EU Green Deal objectives and the Global Gateway strategy, which aims to invest in sustainable infrastructure across partner regions. Talks are ongoing with European institutions, and all three countries have expressed interest in attracting European investors and developers to the initiative.
While the promise is bold, challenges remain: undersea transmission cables require massive investment and advanced engineering. Political coordination, particularly over transit routes and regional tensions, must be navigated carefully. Financing the multi-billion-euro infrastructure will also require sustained international support.
But the foundation has been laid. The joint venture has been formed. Feasibility studies are underway. And momentum is building.
