Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7
By Sara Israfilbayova– Trend:
Creation of the alternative energy facilities in Azerbaijan together with BP will be the main task of the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry in the near future, Head of the Energy Ministry's Office Zaur Mammadov told Trend.
He noted that this is one of the main points of the memorandum of understanding to be signed between the ministry and BP before the end of this year.
As part of the memorandum, potential zones will be identified for the creation of these facilities and the development of solar and wind energy, he added.
He said that most likely the memorandum will be signed by Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov and BP Regional President for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey Gary Jones.
Azerbaijan is taking serious steps to develop alternative energy. To this end, negotiations are underway with foreign companies and investors, including companies from China, the UAE, the US and the EU.
Most of Azerbaijan's potential in this sector comes from the solar energy and this potential is estimated at 5,000 megawatts.
Wind power accounts for 4,500 megawatts, biomass for 1,500 megawatts, geothermal energy for 800 megawatts, and small hydropower plants for the remaining 350 megawatts.
The potential of renewable energy sources in Azerbaijan exceeds 25,300 megawatts, which will allow generating 62.8 billion kilowatt hours of electricity annually.
In January-October 2018, hydropower production amounted to 1,528.4 kilowatt hours, solar energy to 35.1 kilowatt hours and wind power to 42.5 kilowatt hours, according to the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan.
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