Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 14
By Huseyn Valiyev – Trend:
A feasibility study and project documentation are being prepared in Azerbaijan for the implementation of a test project for installing floating solar power plants on Lake Boyukshor, Deputy Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Agency for Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources Jamil Melikov told Trend Dec. 14.
He said that according to preliminary forecasts, the technology and the company that will be implementing the project will be determined in April 2019.
“Tender conditions are being developed in order to choose the company and technology that will be used in this project,” he said. “The number of such installations in Azerbaijan may be increased. Everything will depend on the results of the test project. In general, the potential in Azerbaijan is big and as part of this test project, it was studied that floating solar power plants with capacity of 8,000-17,000 megawatts may be installed in the country. They may be installed at reservoirs in Mingachevir city, Yenikand village of Shamkir district, as well as at other reservoirs and lakes.”
The project envisages installation of three 100-kilowatt photovoltaic systems on Lake Boyukshor, as well as the establishment of business models, in order to encourage private sector participation in this area and conduct appropriate training.
Earlier it was reported that the cost of creating the first floating solar power plant in Azerbaijan is $100,000-$200,000.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) allocated $3 million of technical assistance for the development of solar energy in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan.
The Floating Solar Energy Development project was approved by ADB Board of Directors on August 17, 2018. It involves technical assistance for the creation of floating solar plants in the three countries. ADB experts are sure that this will contribute to the diversification of energy sources, increase energy security and reduce harmful emissions.
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