Azerbaijan has proposed harmonizing certification systems at the regional level to support the development of green energy trade, Deputy Energy Minister Orkhan Zeynalov said at Baku Climate Action Week 2026 (BCAW 2026), Report informs.
Zeynalov said Azerbaijan had already created a national mechanism to identify and track the origin of renewable electricity.
Against the backdrop of expanding regional green energy corridors, he said a key priority was to ensure compatibility and mutual recognition between national certification systems.
While energy infrastructure is becoming increasingly interconnected, certification systems may still rely on different standards, procedures and digital formats, he noted. Without effective interoperability, certification itself could become a barrier to cross-border trade.
Zeynalov stressed that the issue was not merely technical, as certification directly affects investor confidence, project bankability, market access and the international recognition of renewable electricity.
He said certification should therefore be treated from the outset as an integral part of energy infrastructure, particularly as Azerbaijan pursues plans to export green electricity to Europe and other markets.
According to Zeynalov, international voluntary mechanisms such as I-REC standards can provide valuable experience.
He said the time had come to launch a structured dialogue on regional renewable energy certification.
A regional platform involving governments, regulators, certificate-issuing bodies, transmission system operators, investors, international financial institutions, international organizations and other market participants could help establish common principles, promote harmonization and develop practical mechanisms for mutual recognition, he added.
