BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 18. One of the most prominent events of the current week is the signing of an agreement betweenItalian Ansaldo Energia and Azerenerji for the supply of four gas turbines AE94.3A, for a value of beyond 160 million euros.
The mentioned turbines will be installed as an additional generation plant (combined cycle) at the "Azerbaijan" power plant, located in the city of Mingachevir. The AE94.3A gas turbine produces 340 MW of electrical power, with an efficiency of 40.3 percent in standard conditions.
Meanwhile, over the current week bp reported that it is going to resume its operations in earthquake-hit Türkiye by the end of next week.
Also, according to Gary Jones, bp Regional President to Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye, bp has resumed oil transportation through the Baku-Supsa pipeline, and two tankers have already been delivered to the Georgian Supsa port.
Moreover, Jones announced that the first oil from the Azeri Central East (ACE) platform at the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli block of fields is expected to be produced in the first quarter of next year.
"In connection with the construction of the ACE platform, we expect an increase in production here. The construction of the ACE platform has already been completed by 85 percent and it is at the stage of installation offshore," he added.
Meanwhile, this week, the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan announced that, in January 2023, the country exported 2.1 million tons of oil, or 77 percent of the oil (2.7 million tons) produced. Besides, Azerbaijan exported 2.2 bcm of gas, or 52.3 percent of the total volume (4.2 bcm) produced in the country. Moreover, Azerbaijan's exports of gas to Europe in January 2023 amounted to 1 bcm, while supplies to Türkiye totaled 0.9 bcm, and to Georgia - 0.3 bcm.
At the same time, it was announced that Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli and Shah Deniz fields have produced 204.6 bcm and 185 bcm, respectively, since the commissioning in 1997 until February 1, 2023.
Furthermore, OPEC forecasts Azerbaijan's liquids supply for 2023 to rise by 60,000 b/d to average 0.8 mb/d. The bloc projects the growth to come from the Shah Deniz and Absheron condensate projects.
Also, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has updated on the joint roadmap on offshore wind energy with the World Bank. Rana Karadsheh, Regional Director of the IFC for Europe, pointed out that offshore wind roadmap indicates that Azerbaijan has the potential to install 7 GW of offshore wind power by 2040.
"This could create over 69,000 full-time equivalent years of employment and up to $7 billion in local gross value added. Utilizing the potential will also allow Azerbaijan to become an exporter of renewable energy to its neighbors and to the rest of Europe, improving energy security, contributing to the decarbonization of the European continent and increased connectivity," she added.