Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 30
By Azad Hasanli - Trend:
In the coming years, Azerbaijan plans to build power plants based on renewable energy sources with a total capacity of 420 megawatts, the Deputy Energy Minister of Azerbaijan Samir Valiyev told reporters on Oct. 30.
The Ministry of Energy has begun the work on the implementation of this important task, the deputy minister said.
In particular, a new law and legislative acts are being developed. Preparation of the bill, as noted by the deputy minister, should be completed within six months.
"Creating a legal framework is also very important, given that we have international obligations on decarbonization and obligations under the strategic roadmaps," Valiyev said, adding that Azerbaijan has a favorable climate for the development of alternative energy.
At the same time, Valiyev said that negotiations are currently underway with foreign investors, such as companies from China, the UAE, the US and the EU. According to him, attracting investors to the alternative energy sector will provide a powerful impetus for the sector in the coming years.
The deputy minister reminded that, presently, wind, hydro and solar power plants are operating in Azerbaijan. However, for the government, the priority is the development of wind, solar and bioenergy.
"To this end, first of all, as I have already noted, it is necessary to adopt a special law and legislative acts. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure the attractiveness of this sector for investors, because according to strategic roadmaps, the future development of alternative energy in Azerbaijan should be ensured only at the expense of the private sector," he added.
According to the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan, in January-September 2018, hydropower production amounted to 1,422.3 kW / hour, solar energy - 31.7 kW / hour and wind energy - 31.9 kW / hour.
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