Azerbaijan has begun construction of the Zangezur high-voltage transmission line, a project aimed at integrating the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic into the country’s unified electricity system and strengthening cross-border energy connectivity toward Türkiye and European markets. The project is being implemented by AzerEnergy and forms part of a broader effort to modernize Azerbaijan’s power infrastructure, eliminate internal grid fragmentation, and expand regional electricity transmission capacity.

Why does integrating Nakhchivan into the national grid matter for Azerbaijan’s energy strategy?

Historically, Nakhchivan has operated separately from Azerbaijan’s main electricity system, relying on external connections for system balancing and frequency regulation. Full integration into the national grid is expected to alter this structure by enabling centralized dispatch, improved load management, and access to reserve capacity from the country’s main power network. From a technical perspective, integration allows for more stable system operation and reduces vulnerabilities associated with isolated grid functioning. Economically, it creates conditions for more efficient use of generation assets and lowers the cost of maintaining standalone balancing mechanisms.

The Zangezur project includes the construction of a two-circuit, 330 kV transmission line with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts, extending 105 km from Jabrayil to Aghbend and 74 km from Nakhchivan to the Ordubad border. The route follows........

© AzerNews