Citaglobal Bhd executive chairman & president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria (right) and Port of Baku director-general Dr. Taleh Ziyadov (left).
KUALA LUMPUR: Citaglobal Bhd
has signed a framework agreement with the Port of Baku to establish a 5.4 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) facility, marking Azerbaijan's first commercial renewable energy project to integrate solar power with an advanced Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
The green energy project will be led by Tiza Green Energy LLC, a joint venture established by Tiza Global Azerbaijan LLC and Citaglobal Renewable Energy Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citaglobal.
In a statement, Citaglobal said the project is supported by a 21-year power purchase agreement (PPA), guaranteeing a fixed tariff throughout its duration.
This agreement provides the Port of Baku with predictable energy costs and shields it from future grid price fluctuations, ensuring a stable and sustainable energy supply for years to come.
Citaglobal said phase one of the project will begin with rooftop solar PV installations, which will later expand to include larger, ground-mounted systems.
In the following phases, Citaglobal will deploy its innovative MYBESS solution, enabling the port to capture nearly 100% of the generated solar energy at a competitive rate.
The integration of Citaglobal's MYBESS technology enables the storage of excess energy, ensuring its availability when the port's electricity demand exceeds the supply from solar systems. This strategic approach reduces reliance on grid power, enhances energy efficiency, and fosters self-sufficiency.
The Port of Baku, spanning an impressive 400 hectares and located just 70 kilometers from Azerbaijan's capital, is a vital transport and logistics hub for Eurasia. As a key component of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, the port plays a crucial role in connecting economies and facilitating trade.
Currently, the Port of Baku boasts 13 berths, including a Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) facility, a ferry terminal, and a general cargo terminal. It is now in the midst of its second stage of construction, which aims to significantly increase annual throughput capacity to 25 million tons, including 500,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) containers.
“This agreement marks a major milestone in advancing Azerbaijan’s renewable energy landscape with an innovative solution that seamlessly integrates solar power and BESS technology,” Citaglobal executive chairman and president and Tiza Green Energy LLC president Tan Sri Dr Norza Zakaria said.
“The solution that we are implementing not only maximises clean energy use on-site but does so at a cost competitive tariff, demonstrating our shared commitment to sustainable, cost-effective energy solutions.”
Meanwhile, Port of Baku director-general Dr. Taleh Ziyadov said: “As the first Green Port in the Caspian region since 2019, we have implemented significant measures to minimise our environmental impact.”
“Our strategy is to achieve zero emissions by 2035, and I am confident that our partnership with Tiza Green Energy will position us as leaders in sustainable practices, significantly reducing our Scope 2 emissions. The integration of solar and BESS technology brings unprecedented energy management capabilities, reinforcing our commitment to both economic and environmental stewardship.”
