BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov.30
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
Azerbaijan is one of the few countries to fully ensure its energy security, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov said in an exclusive interview with Trend.
“Significant achievements were made in sustainable and reliable supply of energy resources to the economy and population as a result of implementation of the energy security strategy founded by Azerbaijan’s National Leader Heydar Aliyev. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev successfully continued this strategy, turning Azerbaijan into an energy country. Having rich hydrocarbon reserves, developed fuel and energy infrastructure and a fully self-sufficient energy system, Azerbaijan’s role is even more increasing both regionally and in the transnational energy markets. Moreover, consistent measures are underway for the development of Shafag-Asiman, Babek, Absheron, Umid, Karabagh and some other perspective structures in order to increase the oil and gas production in the future.
“The work on the infrastructure of the electricity system and the construction of new power plants not only fully meet Azerbaijan’s electricity demand, but also increase the country’s export potential. Over the last 10 years, 23 new power plants of 2055.4 megawatts were put into operation and the electricity generation capacity has reached 7516.5 megawatts. Currently, alongside with 18 thermal power plants with the capacity of 6237.7 megawatts, numerous hydropower plants and other renewable energy plants with total capacity of 1278.8 megawatts operate in the country.
“Electricity generation has increased by 39.7 percent over the last 10 years as a result of the economic development and increasing welfare of the population. The increasing demand was covered by creation of new production capacities and the repair program implemented in 2018. This year we laid the foundation of the new Gobu power plant with capacity of 385 megawatts.
“Hydropower plant projects jointly implemented in cooperation with Iran, as well as the investment projects to be implemented in solar and wind energy spheres, will enable the country to expand the use of renewables. These projects will also allow to save natural gas resources and to export them. The measures taken so far have ensured efficiency, increasing the quality of generated electricity and reducing losses. Currently, Azerbaijan exports not only hydrocarbon resources, but also electricity,” said Shahbazov.
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