Updated: 12 августа, 2026 12:16 пп
Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Nakhchivan: Which projects were launched and facilities opened?
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev’s visit to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on August 11 was marked by a series of major openings, groundbreaking ceremonies, and presentations of new projects. During the visit, attention was focused on projects related to industry, energy, transport, social infrastructure, tourism, and historical-cultural heritage.
The primary focus of the head of state’s visit to Nakhchivan was directed toward large-scale projects aimed at securing the autonomous republic’s future development. During the visit, completed projects were presented, and ground was broken for new ones.
Ground broken for Nakhchivan Industrial Park
One of the main events of the visit was the groundbreaking ceremony for the Nakhchivan Industrial Park.
President Ilham Aliyev was briefed on the project. The creation of the Industrial Park is assessed as a key step toward establishing new manufacturing sectors and creating additional jobs in Nakhchivan.
In his interview, the President noted that the Nakhchivan Industrial Park will be the second largest industrial park in Azerbaijan by area after the Sumgait Industrial Park.
One of the main goals of this project is to increase the share of industry in the Nakhchivan economy and generate new employment opportunities.
300-megawatt power plant to be built
Another major project planned within the Industrial Park is the construction of a 300-megawatt thermal power plant.
Currently, Nakhchivan’s generation capacity is approximately 200 megawatts. With the commissioning of the new plant, the autonomous republic’s power generation capacity will increase significantly.
The project has two main goals: further strengthening Nakhchivan’s energy supply and exporting surplus energy in the future.
In this regard, one of the key messages of the visit was the prospect of transforming Nakhchivan from an energy-importing region into an energy-producing and exporting hub.
New solar power plants
Renewable energy projects in Nakhchivan were also in focus during the visit.
The President inspected the construction of two solar power plants with a capacity of 50 megawatts.
An area of over 600 hectares has been designated in Nakhchivan for solar energy production. Plans call for constructing new solar power plants with hundreds of megawatts of capacity here in the future.
According to the President, Nakhchivan’s solar power generation capacity alone could reach at least 500 megawatts, with a potential for 1,000 megawatts. The export of this energy to Turkey, Iran, and other destinations in the future is also on the agenda.
Nakhchivan’s energy security being reinforced
Special attention was paid during the visit to the issue of Nakhchivan’s energy supply.
In his interview, the President stated that Nakhchivan is now fully secured in terms of energy supply. Gasification in the autonomous republic has reached 100 percent, and various hydro, solar, and other power stations have been established.
Now, the main goal is to increase power generation and enable Nakhchivan to export electricity in the future.
Railway being prepared for the Zangezur corridor
One of the most important aspects of the visit was strengthening Nakhchivan’s transport connectivity with the main part of Azerbaijan.
In his interview, the President discussed the work underway regarding the creation of the Zangezur corridor. He stated that construction of the Horadiz–Aghband highway in the main part of Azerbaijan is nearly complete, and railway construction is progressing rapidly.
Work has begun on restoring the railway on the territory of Nakhchivan. Rebuilding missing sections in the directions of Ordubad and Sadarak is planned.
While the initial cargo capacity of the existing railway is 1.5 million tons, plans call for bringing it to 15 million tons in the future.
Nakhchivan could become a major logistics hub
The opening of the Zangezur corridor does not only mean restoring overland connection with Azerbaijan for Nakhchivan.
This route is intended to be linked with the East-West and North-South transport corridors. Consequently, opportunities could arise for Nakhchivan to become an important transit and logistics hub.
According to the President, the large volume of cargo passing through this route will lead to increased economic activity, job creation, and expansion of the services sector in Nakhchivan.
Will power and internet lines also pass through corridor?
During the visit, it was also emphasized that the Zangezur corridor will not be limited to highways and railways.
The President stated that fiber-optic cables and power lines, as well as oil and gas pipelines if needed, could also be laid along this route in the future.
It was stated that the project for laying a power line from the main part of Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan via the territory of Armenia is ready.
Thus, the Zangezur connection could evolve in the future into a broad regional infrastructure uniting energy and communication capabilities alongside transport.
DOST and ‘ASAN Khidmat’ centers
Projects related to social services were also not overlooked during the visit.
The opening of a DOST Center in Nakhchivan was marked. An ‘ASAN Khidmat’ center operates alongside the center. These projects are designed to provide public services to citizens in a more convenient and modern format.
New electric buses in Nakhchivan city
The modernization of urban transport was also on the agenda of the visit.
New electric buses were presented to the President. It was noted in the interview that old buses are planned to be fully phased out, expanding the use of electric buses in Nakhchivan city.
In addition, 217 modern buses are planned to be purchased for inter-district passenger transport and launched on routes this year and next year.
Nakhchivan’s rural roads to be modernized
New plans were also announced regarding the improvement of road infrastructure in the autonomous republic.
The construction and major overhaul of approximately 420 kilometers of roads of various categories are planned. It is reported that these works will affect approximately 160,000 residents across 26 settlements.
These projects are of major importance for improving transport opportunities in villages and districts.
New five-star hotel for tourism
Enhancing Nakhchivan’s tourism potential was also one of the important directions of the visit.
In his interview, the President stated that Nakhchivan’s rich historical monuments, nature, and climate create great opportunities for tourism. However, limited hotel infrastructure hinders full utilization of this potential.
For this reason, the cornerstone of a new five-star hotel was laid in the center of Nakhchivan city. The hotel is expected to be ready around 2028.
Momine Khatun Mausoleum being restored
Special attention was also given during the visit to Nakhchivan’s historical and cultural heritage.
The work underway on the restoration of the Momine Khatun Mausoleum was presented to the President. In addition, the conservation, protection, and restoration of other historical and cultural sites are also planned.
Projects implemented in this area serve to preserve the region’s historical heritage alongside enhancing Nakhchivan’s tourism potential.
Special attention to agriculture
Agriculture also holds a distinct place in Nakhchivan’s development plans.
Plans in the autonomous republic include expanding irrigation systems, drilling artesian wells, and applying modern irrigation technologies. The goal is to bring currently unirrigated lands into crop circulation.
The President also stated that Nakhchivan’s agricultural development holds a special place in a separate state program.
New Master Plan prepared for Nakhchivan
During the visit, a Master Plan for the future development of Nakhchivan city was also presented to the President.
The new plan envisions urban development, creation of modern infrastructure, and further enhancement of the urban environment.
This demonstrates that Nakhchivan’s development is transitioning from individual projects to a broader urban planning concept.
Karabakh, Eastern Zangezur, and Nakhchivan on a unified development path
President Ilham Aliyev stated that Nakhchivan will be developed alongside Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur under a single unified development concept.
Under this approach, the three regions are to be developed based on modern infrastructure, green energy, and a new governance model. The introduction of a special presidential representation in Nakhchivan is one element of this new governance approach.
What was the main outcome of the visit?
Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Nakhchivan was not limited merely to the opening of several facilities and groundbreaking ceremonies for new projects.
During the visit, the main directions of Nakhchivan’s future development were laid out:
- A new Industrial Park is being created;
- a 300-megawatt power plant will be built;
- solar energy projects will be expanded;
- Nakhchivan’s energy export potential will be increased;
- railway infrastructure for the Zangezur corridor is being prepared;
- transport and logistics capacity will be expanded;
- new electric buses will be put into service;
- 217 inter-district buses will be purchased;
- construction and repair of 420 kilometers of roads are planned;
- a new five-star hotel is being built;
- restoration of historical monuments continues;
- agricultural and irrigation projects will be expanded;
- a new Master Plan for Nakhchivan city will be prepared.
Thus, reviewing the agenda of the August 11 visit demonstrates that the primary target for Nakhchivan is not merely addressing existing issues. Large-scale projects are being implemented to transform the autonomous republic into a hub that generates power, industrializes, connects to transport corridors, attracts investment, and plays a larger role in regional economic ties.
