On July 14, Baku opened an international conference on "Opportunities and prospects for use of alternative and renewable energy sources in Azerbaijan" organized by the International Eco-energetic Academy and with the support of the Azerbaijani Industry and Energy Ministry and Azerbaijani National Academy of Sciences (ANAS).
Speaking at the event, Deputy Industry and Energy Minister Natig Abbasov said Azerbaijan pays great attention to alternative and renewable sources of energy despite the fact that the country will produce about 52 million tons of oil and 30 billion cubic meters of gas in 2010. The potential of wind energy in Azerbaijan is about 800 MW, he said. In addition, great importance is attached to the construction of hydropower plants on small rivers. Construction of several such stations in different parts of the country has already been launched, Abbasov said. During the conference, participants will discuss prospects of development of the sphere of alternative and renewable energy sources in Azerbaijan.
Abbasov said that the use of alternative and renewable energy sources remains a priority for Azerbaijan despite the fact that the country is expected to produce about 52m tons of oil and 30bn cubic meters of gas this year.
Abbasov said that Azerbaijan, whose wind energy potential makes up about 800 MW, attaches great importance to the construction of hydropower plants on small rivers. According to him, the construction of several such power stations has already been launched.
In addition to wind power, Azerbaijan has recently began to use solar energy. For example, solar batteries have been installed at the new building of Azerbaijani Central Election Commission and piloted by German scientists - on the roof of the Institute of Physics of ANAS. Power of the latter is small, only 2.5 kilowatts, that is 25 lamps, but it is enough to provide electricity to the largest academic institution. And this is only the beginning.
Azerbaijan has large potential of renewable energy. For example, the number of sunny hours in the Kur-Araz lowland is approximately 2,200-2,400 hours per year, and the intensity of solar energy in the Absheron Peninsula and in Nakhchivan per square meter is 0.8-1.2 kWh.
Azerbaijan not for the first time develops a program to develop alternative sources of energy, conducting research and identifying potential. Within six months after the establishment of IRENA - the International Renewable Energy Agency, an appropriate State Agency was established in Azerbaijan upon the presidential order. Three years ago, a State program was adopted to develop alternative energy sources.
Nevertheless, it is estimated that in future, through the application of alternative energy source, the share of this sector in total electricity produced in Azerbaijan will make up about 5-7%, in the production of termal power - up to 10%.
An important stage in the process of forming legislation framework for the use of alternative energy sources in Azerbaijan was the rules recently adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers for granting licenses on a competitive basis for the activities in the field of alternative and renewable energy sources - for those who are prepared to design, build and operate small hydroelectric power stations and facilities, envisaged to get energy from wind, solar and biomass.
Deputy head of the State Agency Jamil Melikov said that building a plant on solar batteries production (photovoltaic modules) in Azerbaijan will start in the near future and will be completed, according to experts, within 8-10 months. "The plant will be built through private investment, near Baku, and after putting it into operation, we hope that its products will be in demand in other countries, but primarily meet domestic demands of Azerbaijan," Melikov said.