Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 21 /Trend E.Ismayilov /
The supply of electricity generated by a hybrid power plant established in the Gobustan region of Azerbaijan, to the common power grid of Azerenergy will be launched in near future, the representative of State Agency on Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources Jamil Melikov told journalists on Wednesday.
"At present technical issues with Azerenergy are being settled in order to ensure the supply of electricity produced from renewable energy sources, to the common power distribution network," Melikov said.
According to him, basically the electricity produced by the plant will be directed to meet the needs of Gobustan region and the remainder allocated to other areas.
This hybrid station located in the Gobustan alternative energy testing ground is the first not only in Azerbaijan, but also in the South Caucasus.
According to research, the construction of so-called hybrid plants in Azerbaijan is considered to be the best option for developing alternative energy. Due to simultaneous use of solar, wind, water or biomass energy, they can provide uninterrupted electricity and thermal power production regardless of the changing weather conditions and other circumstances.
Gobustan station which has become a testing ground for all kinds of experiments and research, will also contribute to the training of professional personnel for the further operation of such facilities.
The combined capacity of the first hybrid power plant is 5.5 MW. Power is generated by three wind turbines with a capacity of 2.7 MW, solar panels, producing 1.8 megawatts and biogas power plant with a capacity of one megawatt.
The testing ground is currently providing the town of Gobustan with electricity. Another wind turbine with a capacity of 2.5 MW will be built here within the project's second phase. As a result, the total capacity of the hybrid plant will be increased to eight megawatts and will be able to provide the entire Gobustan region with population of 46.000 with electricity.