BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 9. The Khizi-Absheron Wind Power Project in Azerbaijan is making steady progress, Abid Malik, Regional Head of Saudi Arabia-based ACWA Power – Central Asia, said in an exclusive interview with Trend.
“We have selected Envision Energy as the wind turbine supplier, and the manufacturing of their EN-171/6.5 Wind Turbine model is underway. This model boasts a rated power of 6.5 MW and a rotor diameter of 171 meters. Our International EPC Contractor is fully mobilized, and their detailed design work is nearing completion,” he said.
Abid Malik noted that the first sets of wind turbines required for construction are currently being shipped and are expected to arrive in Azerbaijan starting this month.
“While we are still in the early stages, with the project approximately 31% complete, we are on track and moving forward as planned,” he added.
ACWA Power’s 240 MW Khizi-Absheron Wind Power Plant will be the first independently developed utility-scale wind power project in Azerbaijan and the largest in the Caucasus region. The project will generate up to 893 gigawatt hours (GW/h) of clean electricity annually and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 400,000 tons annually. It will operate for 25 years on a Build Own Operate (BOO) basis, with ACWA Power handling operations and maintenance.
The plant will be built in two locations: Area 1 in the Absheron region and Khizi 3 in the Khizi region, with a total of 37 wind turbine generators (WTG) arranged for optimal wind capture. This project aligns with Azerbaijan's goals to diversify its economy and modernize its energy system, including an increase in non-oil sector foreign direct investment (FDI) and exports as outlined in the Strategic Roadmap on National Economic Perspectives. The Khizi-Absheron- Wind Power Plant is a key part of this economic diversification effort.
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