Azerbaijan's energy potential has increased considerably in recent years: president - UPDATE - PHOTOS

Nov. 20
12:11

For the last four years the Azerbaijani government had made tremendous efforts to strengthen the country`s energy potential, completely ensuring its energy security, said President Ilham Aliyev.

The President chatted with constructors, power engineers and local residents at a ceremony to inaugurate a 525 MW-power station in Sumgait, the third largest city in Azerbaijan.

“We've built ten power stations in Azerbaijan in the past four years, bringing their total number to 19. The energy potential of these ten stations is 2,100 megawatts, while the country`s total potential is 6,400 megawatts.”

“These four years saw Azerbaijan's energy potential increase about 40 percent, and this process is going on. And we plan to construct more power stations in future,” said the Azerbaijani leader.

President Ilham Aliyev said: “This will ensure reliable energy sources for Azerbaijan for many years in advance. And this is of big necessity as our country enjoys a growing economy and strengthening agricultural potential.”

The President said Azerbaijan even enjoyed an extra potential to export its electricity along with meeting its domestic demand.

“Today we supply electricity to our neighbors in addition to exports of oil and gas,” said President Ilham Aliyev.

President Aliyev said creating alternative energy sources was among key priorities for the country's government.

"In the years ahead we must seriously consider creating alternative energy sources along with building traditional power stations, and efforts are already underway," the president added.

“From the next year we will allocate budget spending and also involve funds from the State Oil Fund to establishing alternative and renewable energy sources.”

President Ilham Aliyev also invited local and foreign companies to invest in what he described as very profitable and “extremely important” sector for Azerbaijan.

“We've already drawn up the map of our water resources and plan to embark on building hydro electric power stations on small rivers."

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Nov. 19
12:50

The city public, builders and engineers warmly cheered the Head of the Azerbaijani State.

Head of the Azerenergy OSC informed on the history of the 525Mw Station, construction of which started on 12 August 2005 in presence of the Azerbaijan President.

The President inspected the new station, congratulated the builders and gave certain recommendations.

/AzerTaj/

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Photos by AzerTaj