Imagine an undersea cable spanning over 1,100 km (684 miles) across the depths of the Black Sea, carrying gigawatts of clean electricity from the sun-drenched deserts of Azerbaijan to the energy-hungry homes of Europe. This ambitious project, dubbed the “green energy corridor,” aims to bolster Europe’s energy security and accelerate its transition to renewable sources, all while fostering economic ties with neighboring nations. But can this engineering marvel overcome the daunting obstacles that lie ahead?
The Black Sea’s Submarine Power Link
Last November, as COP29 unfolded in Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, a separate plan was finalized in a side room away from media scrutiny. Delegations from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary, and Romania agreed to generate up to 6 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy in the Caucasus region and transmit it to Europe via a cable along the Black Sea floor.
The first phase, comprising two cables with a capacity of 1.3 GW, is expected to be operational by 2030, supplying over 2 million European households. An Italian feasibility study pegged the cost of this initial stage at $3.1 to $3.7 billion.
However, the project’s sheer scale presents formidable engineering challenges. At depths up to 2,200 meters, the Black Sea cable would surpass any existing subsea electricity cable in terms of depth. Moreover, only two companies worldwide – Prysmian and Nexans – possess the specialized ships capable of laying such deep-sea cables.
Overcoming Security Risks and Financial Hurdles
Beyond the technical obstacles, the Black Sea corridor faces significant security risks. The ongoing Ukraine war has littered the region with floating mines, posing a threat to the cable-laying ships. Furthermore, recent incidents of suspected sabotage targeting undersea cables in the Baltic Sea have raised concerns about the potential for targeted attacks on the Black Sea link.
Securing adequate funding is another formidable challenge. While the European Union has expressed support and pledged an estimated €2.3 billion ($2.5 billion), more investment will be needed to realize the project’s full potential. Georgia and Romania are seeking to designate the cable as a Project of Mutual Interest, which could unlock additional funding from the EU.
Azerbaijan’s Transition to Renewable Energy
At the heart of the green corridor lies Azerbaijan, a nation historically reliant on fossil fuels but now pivoting toward renewable energy sources. The country aims to build 6 GW of renewable capacity by 2030, with plans for a total of 10 GW. This transition is supported by major foreign investments, including over $6 billion from Masdar and Acwa Power for solar and wind projects.
However, as SOCAR, Azerbaijan’s state oil company, acknowledges, the shift to green energy will be a gradual process. “Oil and gas are the cornerstone of our economy. Every family has someone working in this industry. We’re trying to keep the balance,” remarks SOCAR spokesman Orkhan Huseynov.
If successful, the Black Sea green energy corridor could mark a bold engineering feat, boosting Europe’s energy independence while accelerating the global transition to clean power sources. As the world grapples with climate change and energy security challenges, this ambitious project promises to forge new economic ties and pave the way for a more sustainable future.
Source: IEEE Spectrum