Yeşil Enerji Bağlamında Karabağ’ın Enerji Potansiyeli
Makalede yenilenebilir enerji kaynaklarının bir alt kümesi olarak nitelendirilen yeşil enerji kavramına, onun farklı türlerine, bu enerji kaynakları açısından zengin olan Azerbaycan’ın işgalden kurtarılmış bölgesi Karabağ ve enerji projelerine odaklanılmıştır. Bilindiği üzere enerji dünya toplumunun var olması için gerekli olan en önemli etkendir. Özellikle de günümüz gerçekleri gözününde bulundurulduğunda çevre dostu olan yeşil ve temiz enerji daha çok önplana çıkmaktadır. Bu nedenle devletler mevcut enerji stratejilerini yeşil dönüşüm konsepti çerçevesinde yeniden revize etmeye, bununla hem doğayı hem de tükenme riskiyle karşı karşıya kalan birincil enerji kaynaklarını korumaya çalışmaktadır. Böyle devletlerden biri olarak Azerbaycan da yenilenebilir enerji doktrini çerçevesinde yeşil enerji stratejisini uygulanabilir hale getirmektedir. Makalede, yeşil enerji kaynaklarının kademeli kullanımında uyum sağlanması, toplumun buna hazırlanması ve doğru coğrafi bölgenin seçilmesi, en esası yenilenebilir enerji kaynaklarının doğaya zarar vermeden yeşil enerjiye dönüştürülmesi meselesinin çevresel sürdürülebilirlik ve enerji güvenliği açısından elzem olduğu kanısına varılmış ve yenilenebilir enerji potansiyelinin değerlendirilmesi ekseninde Azerbaycan’ın Karabağ bölgesinde “yeşil enerji” endüstrisinin kurulması ve bunun Azerbaycan enerji sektörüne sunacağı fırsatlar değerlendirilmiştir.
Karabakh’s Green Energy Potential
Green energy is defined as a subset of renewable energy resources, and various types of green energy and energy projects exist in Karabakh, which is the liberated region of Azerbaijan. Karabakh is rich in the axis of these energy resources. Energy is an important factor . Environmentally friendly green and clean energy is especially important today. States therefore try to revise their current energy strategies within the framework of a green transformation. They are trying to protect both natural and traditional energy sources that are at risk of extinction. Azerbaijan is one of the states that want to make the green energy strategy accessible within the framework of renewable energy. In this context, when the Karabakh region was liberated from Armenian occupation, it strengthened the renewable energy doctrine of the state of Azerbaijan. This paper investigated the following issues in terms of environmental sustainability and energy security: ensuring the harmonization in the gradual use of green energy resources, preparing society for this use, choosing the right geographical region, and most importantly, transforming renewable energy resources into green energy without harming nature. The establishment of the green energy industry in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and the opportunities that this will present to the energy sector of Azerbaijan were evaluated in the research.
Energy is an essential factor in providing and improving people’s daily welfare requirements and it must be produced definitely. Energy is obtained from both traditional and alternative resources. However, these resources are not equally distributed globally. Also, some countries are categorized as energy-rich because of their hydrocarbon reserves, while others are rich in renewable energy resources.
Although most of the energy reserves used throughout the world is obtained from traditional energy sources, it is also true that these reserves are not environmentally friendly. Therefore, to protect the environment and prevent excessive consumption of primary energy resources, countries are trying to meet their national requirements with renewable energy sources. However, it is known that although alternative energy reserves are environmentally friendly, superior technology and financial means are needed to exploit them sufficiently. In this context, it is appropriate to evaluate the potential of green energy, which has become one of the most researched issues.
Removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, traditional energy resources such as coal, gas, and oil have begun to be replaced by sustainable energy sources. At the same time, it should be emphasized that “green” and “renewable” energy do not necessarily mean the same thing. Although the terms are frequently encountered together and are closely related, they do have small but important differences. Therefore, the concept of green energy will be discussed, and then the differences between the two terms will be identified.
The world’s increasing energy demands and countries’ attempts to utilize the best management strategies to meet this demand are well known. Azerbaijan is one of these countries. In terms of Azerbaijan, the green energy potential of the Karabakh region will be discussed; then state-supported green energy projects will be examined in the post-war period. Nagorno-Karabakh is a region rich in green energy resources. Therefore, the diversification of Azerbaijan’s energy production resources is an important issue.
It is possible to list many advantages on this axis. The transition to inexhaustible energy will also reduce the number of carbon emissions released into the atmosphere and ensure environmental sustainability. In addition, natural gas, which is the main source of electricity production, will be saved. It will have a positive effect on increasing the country’s foreign exchange earnings through expanding export opportunities. At the same time, renewable energy sources can meet the energy needs of areas where natural gas extraction is technically impossible or economically inefficient. On this axis, considering the high mountainous terrain of Kalbajar and Lachin districts, the use of renewable energy resources will be more efficient.
The development of renewable energy sources is also necessary for the sustainability of Azerbaijan’s energy system. Attracting new investments to liberated lands and exploiting the renewable energy potential will play a vital role in Azerbaijan’s international recognition as green energy. Hydroelectric dams are expected to account for most of the renewable energy generation in the Karabakh region. Moreover, the implementation of renewable energy projects across Karabakh will provide the Azerbaijani leadership’s vision to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuel–based electricity. These plans are also in line with Baku’s plans to transform Karabakh’s war-damaged lands into smart cities and villages.