BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 26
By Fidan Babayeva - Trend:
Azerbaijan is preparing Action Plan for effectively using the potential of renewable energy sources in the liberated territories (Karabakh region), Acting Director of the State Agency for Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources of Azerbaijan (AREA) Tabriz Ammayev told Trend.
According to Ammayev, the plan includes the forthcoming work on the installation of observation measuring stations in areas with high potential for solar and wind energy, as well as an accurate calculation of the potential of renewable energy.
"At present, work has begun on the inventory and restoration of small hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan," the director said.
He noted that the water resources of the Tartar and Hakari rivers had been exploited during the occupation without observing any environmental standards.
“The produced energy was partly exported to Armenia. However, after the 44-day war (from late Sept. through early Nov.2020, which ended with the territories’ liberation from Armenian occupation), the Armenians, taking advantage of the ceasefire regime, dismantled these small hydroelectric power plants and destroyed the equipment," Ammayev reminded.
He stressed that the construction of these stations, the capacity of which is generally estimated by Azerbaijan at 140 megawatts, will make a special contribution to providing Azerbaijan with ecologically clean energy.
"In order to effectively use the potential of renewable energy sources, an action plan is being developed, which includes the upcoming work. It’s planned to install observation measuring stations in areas with high potential of solar and wind energy, as well as an accurate calculation of the potential of renewable energy," added Ammayev.
The use of renewable energy sources was identified by the Azerbaijani president as one of the priority areas for the development of the energy industry. So, the focus is on the implementation of pilot projects for the construction of a 240 MW wind power plant and a 200 MW solar power plant in accordance with agreements signed with ACWA Power and Masdar (OJSC) on January 9, 2021.
In order to fulfill the relevant order of the President of Azerbaijan, seven working groups are functioning, consisting of representatives of the ministries of energy, economy, finance, emergency situations, environment, and natural resources, justice, as well as the Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, State Property Service, State Tax services, Central Bank, Azerenergy and Azerishig OJSCs.
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