BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7
By Nargiz Ismayilova - Trend:
An assessment of five small hydroelectric power plants in Azerbaijan was conducted within a joint project of the Ministry of Energy and BP with involvement of SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins consulting company, Trend reports referring to the ministry.
According to the ministry, online presentation of SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins’ final report on the results of research on the improvement of the activities of small hydroelectric power plants in the country and on efficient use of the hydro potential of the local rivers was held.
“At the event held with the participation of the representatives of the Ministries of Energy, Ecology and Natural Resources, Azerenergy OJSC, SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins, BP and the British Embassy in Azerbaijan, a necessity of assessing the efficiency of existing small hydroelectric power plants, improving the operation of the plants taking into account international experience, as well as studying the feasibility of building new hydropower plants, taking into account the drought in recent years was underlined,” the ministry said.
“To this end, within the Protocol of Intents signed between the Ministry of Energy and BP on October 19, 2018, a working group consisting of specialists of relevant bodies was established in the Ministry and researches were conducted by involving SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins in the implementation of the project. Within the project, visits were made to 6 selected areas for 5 small hydroelectric power plants and new plants, and an assessment was carried out.”
During the presentation, representatives of SNC-Lavalin's Atkins company Rodrigo Freire De Macedo and Matt Skidmore informed the participants about results of the assessments of the efficiency aspect of existing small hydro power plants in Azerbaijan, as well as of the stations planned to be built in selected areas, technical and economic indicators, the potential of mountain rivers and recommendations.
Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov highly appreciated the importance of this project implemented for two years, as well as the support of BP and other organizations.
"Based on this report, taking into account the needs of electricity generation, water potential and water scarcity in our country, we will elaborate our development strategy for small hydro power plants. The development of this sector with the involvement of the private sector is one of the main goals,” he said.
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