Strategic transition from hydrocarbons to green hydrogen : long-term pathways for Azerbaijan’s export diversification

Gasimli, Vusal (author), Huseyn, Ramil (author), Zeynalli, Latif (author), Suleymanov, Arzu (author)

As global demand for clean energy rises, green hydrogen is emerging as a critical driver of decarbonisation and sustainable economic growth. The study examines the production potential and export prospects of green hydrogen in Azerbaijan. Analysis focuses on an evaluation of Azerbaijan’s technical capacity, the state of its infrastructure, policy framework, and investment climate for developing green hydrogen. The findings suggest that by leveraging its substantial wind and solar resources, Azerbaijan has the capacity to generate green hydrogen through electrolysis. The development of clean hydrogen and associated derivatives offers a strategic pathway for diversifying the national economy, attracting foreign investment in clean energy technologies, and fostering innovation-led long-term growth. The country’s geostrategic position adds to its potential to be a pivotal hub for a green energy corridor between East and West, facilitating energy flows across Europe and Asia while strengthening regional energy security.

• Language: English
• Keywords: hydrogen energy, green energy exporter, energy security, netzero energy systems, wind energy, international trade, energy policy, economics, Azerbaijan
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Geographic coverage: Azerbajdžan (Republika)
• Organization: FDV - Faculty of Social Sciences
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 09.07.2026
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: Str. 369-390
• Numbering: Letn. 63, št. 2
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-184777
• UDC: 620.9:661.96:339.5(479.24)
• ISSN on article: 0040-3598
• DOI: 10.51936/tip.63.2.369
• COBISS.SI-ID: 284795395
• Publication date in RUL: 15.07.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Teorija in praksa : revija za družbena vprašanja
• Shortened title: Teor. praksa
• Publisher: Fakulteta za družbene vede
• ISSN: 0040-3598
• COBISS.SI-ID: 763652

Licences

• License: CC BY-NC 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
• Description: A creative commons license that bans commercial use, but the users don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Strateški prehod od ogljikovodikov k zelenemu vodiku

Abstract

Zaradi naraščajočega svetovnega povpraševanja po čisti energiji postaja zeleni vodik ključni dejavnik razogljičenja in trajnostne gospodarske rasti. Študija obravnava proizvodni potencial in možnosti izvoza zelenega vodika v Azerbajdžanu. Analiza se osredotoča na oceno tehničnih zmogljivosti Azerbajdžana, stanja infrastrukture, institucionalnega in regulativnega okvira ter investicijskega okolja za razvoj proizvodnje zelenega vodika. Ugotovitve kažejo, da lahko Azerbajdžan z učinkovitim izkoriščanjem svojih obsežnih vetrnih in sončnih virov razvije pomembne zmogljivosti za proizvodnjo zelenega vodika z elektrolizo. Razvoj čistega vodika in s tem povezanih derivatov pomeni strateško pot za diverzifikacijo nacionalnega gospodarstva, privabljanje tujih naložb v čiste energetske tehnologije ter spodbujanje dolgoročne rasti, ki temelji na inovacijah. Geostrateški položaj države lahko dodatno krepi možnost, da postane pomembno vozlišče v zelenem energetskem koridorju med Vzhodom in Zahodom, ki vzpostavlja energetske tokove med Evropo in Azijo ter prispeva h krepitvi regionalne energetske varnosti.

• Keywords: vodikova energija, izvoznik zelene energije, energetska varnost, podnebno nevtralni energetski sistemi, vetrna energija, mednarodna trgovina, energetska politika, ekonomija, Azerbajdžan