Chinese-invested large-scale solar power plant in Azerbaijan connected to grid

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (2nd R) attends a ceremony marking the grid connection of the 100 MW Gobustan solar power plant in Baku, Azerbaijan. Sept. 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Junfeng)

BAKU, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- A ceremony marking the grid connection of the 100 MW Gobustan solar power plant, invested in and built by the Chinese company Universal Energy Co., Ltd., was held on Wednesday in Baku.

At the ceremony, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that practical cooperation between Azerbaijan and China across various fields has made steady progress since the two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2025.

Cooperation in renewable energy has emerged as a highlight of bilateral ties, he said, noting that Azerbaijan welcomes more Chinese companies to invest and do business in the country.

Aliyev said Azerbaijan has abundant renewable energy resources and vast potential for their development, adding that the government is accelerating its energy transition and expanding the country's capacity to export green electricity.

Located in the Garadagh district of Baku, the 100 MW Gobustan solar power plant comprises about 200,000 solar panels and a 110 kV substation. The plant is expected to generate about 200 million kWh of electricity annually, save around 45 million cubic meters of natural gas each year and reduce carbon emissions by about 97,000 tonnes. 

This photo taken on Sept. 16, 2026 shows the step-up substation of the 100 MW Gobustan solar power plant in Garadagh district of Baku, Azerbaijan. (Xinhua/Chen Junfeng)

This photo taken on Sept. 16, 2026 shows a view of the 100 MW Gobustan solar power plant in Garadagh district of Baku, Azerbaijan. (Xinhua/Chen Junfeng)

This photo taken on Sept. 16, 2026 shows a view of the 100 MW Gobustan solar power plant in Garadagh district of Baku, Azerbaijan. (Xinhua/Chen Junfeng)

This photo taken on Sept. 16, 2026 shows the step-up substation of the 100 MW Gobustan solar power plant in Garadagh district of Baku, Azerbaijan. (Xinhua/Chen Junfeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 16, 2026 shows the 100 MW Gobustan solar power plant in Garadagh district of Baku, Azerbaijan. (AZERTAC news agency via Xinhua)