Baku, Azerbaijan, May 7
By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend:
Prospects of using alternative and renewable energy sources in Azerbaijan are great, Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said in an interview with Trend.
The minister noted that Azerbaijan has great potential to generate solar and wind energy, as well as biomass energy.
"Within the framework of the Strategic Roadmap for Development of Public Services (electricity, heat, water and gas) in Azerbaijan, territories and investments were assessed to create 420 megawatts of generating capacity through alternative and renewable energy sources, including 350 megawatts of wind energy, 50 megawatts of solar energy and 20 megawatts of biomass energy," Shahbazov said.
The minister noted that one of the main goals of his ministry is an in-depth analysis of the current situation in order to ensure development in the field of alternative and renewable energy sources.
"I believe that in order to develop this sector, it is necessary to improve the legislation, clarify the conditions and rules of joining the grid for energy producers, and provide financial support from the government. If this work is carried out, a favorable investment climate in the field of alternative and renewable energy sources will be created for investors, which, in turn, will allow the state to receive additional income from taxes and increase the export of saved gas resources," Shahbazov said.
The potential of renewable energy sources in the country is more than 25,300 megawatts, which will produce 62.8 billion kilowatt hours of electricity per year. By 2020, it is planned to reach the capacity of 2,676 megawatts, which will be about 20 percent of all electricity produced in the country.
Most of the country's potential in this area accounts for solar energy, and this potential is estimated at 5,000 megawatts.
Wind energy accounts for 4,500 megawatts, biomass for 1,500 megawatts, geothermal energy for 800 megawatts, and the remaining 350 megawatts for small hydropower plants (HPPs).
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