QAZAQ GREEN. The World Bank and the Government of Azerbaijan will jointly invest approximately $400 million in a project aimed at strengthening the country's transmission network to better integrate renewable energy sources (RES), according to a World Bank project assessment report cited by Business Media.

The project, known as AZURE, was initially estimated to cost $250 million. The World Bank, through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), will provide a $284.8 million loan for the project. The Bank's Board of Directors is expected to approve the project on October 31.

As part of AZURE, the Azerbaijani government will contribute $107.1 million to connect the Bilasuvar and Bankya solar power plants to the national grid via the Navai and Absheron substations. This investment will enable both solar plants to be operational by the end of March 2026.

The first component of the project includes $218.4 million from the World Bank to strengthen and expand the transmission infrastructure for renewable energy, with $159.4 million allocated for the construction of high-voltage power lines.

The second component will allocate $48 million, plus an additional $3.4 million for contingencies, to enhance system operations and control to accommodate variable renewable energy sources (VRE).

The third component focuses on project implementation support, with $15 million earmarked for this purpose.