Azerbaijan, Baku, March 28 / Trend /
According to preliminary estimates, the theoretical hydropower potential of all of the rivers in Azerbaijan is 40 billion kilowatt-hours, Azerenergy head Etibar Pirverdiyev said in his interview posted on the ruling New Azerbaijan Party's official website.
He said that the theoretical potential of small hydropower plants is 28 billion kilowatt-hours.
Pirverdiyev said 280 small hydropower plants with a total capacity of 700 megawatts and an annual production of 3.5 billion kilowatt-hours could be built on rivers and at water industry facilities.
The construction of 36 small hydropower plants is considered reasonable for the near future.
The construction of the "Goychay-1,"Balaken-1" and "Gusar-1" small hydropower plants is underway.
Work has also commenced on preparations for the construction of small hydropower plants with a total capacity of 16.3 megawatts on mountain rivers and canals, Pirverdiyev said.
The construction of large and medium hydropower plants will allow Azerbaijan to save over 2 million tons by 2015.