BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 30
By Fidan Babayeva – Trend:
The environmental and social impact assessment of a 240 megawatt wind power project in Azerbaijan will be completed by the end of the year, Trend reports on July 30 with reference to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy.
“The current state of the environmental and social impact assessment process of a 240 megawatt wind power project was discussed online with representatives of ACWA Power company, 5 Capitals environmental and management consultancy and Eco-Energy LLC,” the ministry said.
“The process of environmental and social assessment in Khizi district and Absheron region, on the territory of which a wind farm with a capacity of 240 megawatts will be built, was launched in March this year in accordance with an executive agreement signed by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power company,” the ministry said.
“ACWA Power company involved 5 Capitals and Eco Energy LLC consulting companies in the process to ensure the compliance of the assessment with international requirements,” the ministry said. “The preliminary research of flora and fauna was carried out in Khizi and Absheron. Archaeological, botanical, herpetological and radiation monitoring has been completed.”
"At the next stage it is planned to analyze samples of air, water and soil in the laboratory, track sound modeling - measures necessary for the projects in the field of wind energy, as well as consult with the interested parties," the ministry said.
The environmental and social impact assessment process is expected to be completed in December 2020 and the final report will be released.
The Azerbaijani president signed a decree "On measures to implement pilot projects in the field of using renewable energy sources" on December 5, 2019.
The Azerbaijani Energy Ministry, ACWA Power and Masdar signed executive agreements on January 9, 2020 to implement the pilot renewable energy projects.
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