Five Small Hydropower Plants in Kalbajar Registered to Obtain International Carbon Certification
JULY 23, 2026
As a result of a joint initiative by AzerEnerji OJSC and SOCAR Trading, the Chirag-1, Chirag-2, Soyuqbulaq, Meydan, and Qamishli small hydropower plants (SHPPs) operating in Azerbaijan's Kalbajar district have been successfully registered under an international carbon certification system.
According to AzerEnerji, the registration will enable the annual verification of approximately 37,000 tonnes of carbon emission reductions generated by these power plants. In return, the facilities will be awarded internationally recognized carbon certificates.
The company also noted that in January this year, the Mirik and Qaragishlag small hydropower plants located in the Lachin district received 10,745 carbon credits from Gold Standard, the Swiss international carbon certification organization. These represent the first carbon credits earned by Azerbaijan's renewable energy projects on the international carbon market and are regarded as a significant achievement in advancing the country's green energy strategy.
According to AzerEnerji, efforts to secure additional international carbon certificates for renewable energy facilities are ongoing.
The international registration process is currently underway for the Mishni, Alkhasli, and Aghbulag-2 small hydropower plants in the Lachin district. At the same time, international experts are evaluating project documentation prepared for the Shayifli, Jahangirbeyli, Zangilan, and Sheylanli hydropower plants in the Zangilan district as part of the process to obtain international carbon certification.
The company emphasized that the Aghbulag-2 and Sheylanli small hydropower plants, both constructed by AzerEnerji, were commissioned on July 11 of this year. The remaining aforementioned power plants were gradually brought into operation during 2023, 2024, and 2025.
