Azerbaijan and Ukraine discuss a 1,000 MW storage hydropower plant in Mingachevir, estimated at $1.5 billion

Representatives of the energy ministries of Azerbaijan and Ukraine discussed in Uzhhorod the construction of a storage hydropower plant in Mingachevir, with a planned capacity of 1,000 MW and an estimated total cost of about $1.5 billion, the Azerbaijani agency Report reported on 5 November, citing its Eastern Europe bureau. The project would use Ukrainian experience and technology.

What was discussed. The talks took place within the meeting of the Azerbaijan–Ukraine Intergovernmental Commission, co-chaired by Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov and Ukraine's Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal. According to Report, it is the first meeting of the commission held in Ukraine since the start of the war; the programme also included a business forum. The Russian-language version of the report describes the facility as a pumped-storage hydropower plant. The timeline, financing model and ownership have not been made public.

The statements. Shahbazov said Azerbaijan is interested in deepening energy cooperation with Ukraine. He acknowledged that there are challenges and logistical complexities and noted that, although relatively few Azerbaijani companies are represented at the meeting, some of them are major international players. The minister cited the strategic partnership documents signed in Kyiv in 2008 and in Baku in 2011.

Context. In June, after a meeting with Shahbazov, Shmyhal announced that the commission's next meeting would be held in Ukraine this autumn. At the time, the two sides discussed energy transport routes, including to EU countries via Ukrainian infrastructure, and the restoration of Ukraine's energy system damaged by Russian attacks; Shmyhal said Azerbaijani businesses are "ready to invest in Ukrainian projects".

What comes next. The reports of 5 November do not mention a signed agreement for the Mingachevir plant; the project's timeline and structure remain to be determined.