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Azerbaijan seeking much alternative energy in total energy balance

21 October 2016 [10:00] - TODAY.AZ

By Azernews


By Amina Nazarli

Global warming and long-lasting changes in all components of the climate system made many nations to seek help in renewable and alternative sources of energy today. The usage of renewable energy is expected to significantly reduce emissions and thus protect nature.

In recent years, more and more attention is paid to the development of renewable energy sources in the energy-rich country of South Caucasus -- Azerbaijan. Currently, Azerbaijan studies experience in this field from Italy, Spain and other European countries.

This December, Azerbaijan joined almost 200 countries from every corner of the world to sign the Paris Agreement, committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to support “green planet”. The agreement will be ratified by the country's Parliament and come into force on October 28 this year.  

Although, currently the share of renewable energy in the total energy balance is 16 percent, Azerbaijan still known as a country with rich potential of alternative energy.

Akim Badalov, Chairman of the State Agency for Alternative and Renewable Energy said that Azerbaijan plans to increase the share of alternative and renewable energy sources in the country's energy balance up to 20 percent by 2020.

“In addition, Azerbaijan intends to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 35 percent by 2030,” he said at the 7th international forum on energy for sustainable development international conference on renewable energy in Baku on October 18.

Experts believe that the era of alternative energy is coming forth in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan invested 987.4 million manats ($613 million) in the development of alternative energy in 2005-2015.

Jamil Melikov, Deputy Head of the State Agency on Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources said that 83 percent of this amount accounted for public investment, while another 17 percent for private sector.

Some 12 percent of public investment have been provided by the State Agency. Overall, the projects that we have implemented will enable the country to save 1.1 billion cubic meters of gas in 2020, which will ensure the growth of the country's export capacity as well as 7.9 percent of GDP,” Melikov explained.

Azerbaijan, which has good renewable energy resources including wind, solar, hydroelectric and biomass power, set them as the priority areas. The country’s unique diversity of nature and climate, with continental, mild and subtropical zones, and its varied terrain of mountains, plateaus, plains and lowlands are highly favorable for these types of power generation. 

The wind, which blows more than 250 days per year and may generate 2.4 billion kWh of electricity annually, is the country’s preferred option because of its lower cost, environmental soundness and unlimited availability. 

Offering 2,400-3,200 hours of sunshine per year, Azerbaijan has also good potential for solar electricity and heat generation. While its technically feasible potential remains underexploited, hydro power is currently the most developed renewable energy source.

Traditionally, Azerbaijan is known as the oil and gas producer worldwide. Even a century ago, oil was produced in Azerbaijan with mechanical means, and now the country has enough reserves to meet the demand for many years to come.

Oil and natural gas exports account for around 95 percent of total export revenues of the country, which is the second-largest oil producer in the former Soviet Union region after Russia and Kazakhstan.

But, why the issue of alternative energy sources is so important for Azerbaijan? After all, the hydrocarbon reserves of the country is able to provide the nation with the “gifts of nature” for many years.

The fact is that imminent depletion of oil reserves make the international community to focus on alternative energy sources, some of the most promising of which are wind, solar, and biological sources. When properly used, these resources are practically inexhaustible, that is unlikely for fossil energy resources such as oil and gas. 

So, the development of this direction of the economy promises significant investments to Azerbaijan and creates the preconditions for a substantial reduction of dependence on oil and gas resources. Reducing the use of hydrocarbons in the country, in turn, will make it possible to redirect them to overseas markets, increasing the export potential and revenues.

Potential of renewable energy sources in the country exceeds 25,400 megawatt.  The potential of solar energy in the country is more than 8,000 megawatts, while the capacity of wind power and geothermal energy are 15,000 and 800 megawatts, respectively.

The potential of bio-energy (a type of renewable energy made available from materials derived from biological sources) is estimated at 900 megawatts, while capacity of small hydroelectric power plants is 700 megawatts.

Now, Azerbaijan is focusing on the establishment of one of the largest renewable energy projects -- the first offshore wind power project in the former Soviet area. Moreover, under its strategic plan of renewable energy development, Azerbaijan will build solar plants totaling 2,065 of megawatts and wind farms to an energy output of 1,512.5 megawatts.

Azerbaijan is open to foreign investments in alternative energy and many countries are seeking to assist the country in this direction. So far, several foreign companies from China, the U.S., Italy, Germany and Georgia have been interested in cooperation with Azerbaijan in this sphere.

URL: http://www.today.az/news/business/155304.html

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