BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25
By Fidan Babayeva - Trend:
The use of renewable energy sources in Azerbaijan is one of the priority areas of energy development in the 21st century, Adik Mammadov, philosophy doctor in agriculture of Azerbaijan State Economic University, told Trend.
Mammadov was commenting on the issue regarding the prospects of using alternative energy sources in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan has huge resources, which can reduce the negative impact of energy on the environment and improve energy and environmental safety, the philosophy doctor said.
“Azerbaijan has great potential for the development of alternative energy,” Mammadov added. “In particular, the potential of wind energy in the country is 4,500 megawatts, biomass - 1,500 megawatts, geothermal energy - 800 megawatts, small hydropower plants - 350 megawatts.”
Mammadov noted that this year it is planned to bring the share of alternative sources in the total energy consumption in Azerbaijan to 20 percent.
“By 2015, the share of wind energy in Azerbaijan in the total volume of used alternative energy sources reached 50 percent, but in 2020 this figure will drop to 32 percent due to an increase in solar energy generation,” Mammadov added. “The state strategy for the development of alternative and renewable energy sources until 2020” has been prepared as part of the development of alternative energy in Azerbaijan.”
He noted that in Azerbaijan, especially in rural areas, there are opportunities for using wind energy. In addition, it is possible to use the energy of thermal waters, which are enough in the country, said Mammadov.
He added that on the Absheron Peninsula and along the entire coast of the Caspian Sea, the number of sunny days reaches 2,500, and in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic – 2,900.
“Nakhchivan remained aloof from Azerbaijan’s energy supply system,” Mammadov noted. “Therefore, the use of renewable energy sources is important in this region. According to calculations, approximately half of the energy needs of Nakhchivan can be provided by alternative energy sources.”
Renewable energy sources are important for Azerbaijan, however, there is no practice of using any type of these sources in the country, except for hydropower. Wind power is one of alternative energy sources. It is more profitable due to its cost, environmental friendliness and renewable properties compared to other alternative energy sources.