(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. A concept for the use
of green technologies and renewable energy sources in the liberated
lands of Azerbaijan has been prepared, Chairman of the State Water
Resources Agency Zaur Mikayilov said, trend reports.
Mikayilov made the remark on the sidelines of a public meeting
on the "Green energy and clean environment: prospects for business
development" topic.
According to him, the main provisions of this strategy serve
both to preserve the environment, water resources, flora, and fauna
and to ensure the sustainable development of the area.
"To date, we have established 4,000 MW potential of solar energy
and over 5,000 MW potential of wind energy in the liberated
territories. Karabakh is also a source of formation of water
resources in Azerbaijan. In this direction, work is underway to
restore water resources, as well as to ensure their protection," he
noted.
Speaking about the use of water, Mikayilov said that most of
Azerbaijan's water resources are used in agriculture.
"The use of green technologies and renewable energy sources in
the agricultural sector can lead to a reduction in the use of water
resources. This will also ensure the sustainable development of the
agricultural sector and environmental protection," the agency's
head explained.
He also stressed that the expansion of the use of renewable
energy sources will allow the saving of huge amounts of water
resources in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan is one of the countries with a high potential for
renewable energy sources. Thus, the potential of renewable energy
sources, which are economically viable and technically feasible, is
estimated at 27,000 MW, including 3,000 MW of wind energy, 23,000
MW of solar energy, 380 MW of bioenergy potential, and 520 MW of
mountain rivers.
About 25 percent of Azerbaijan's internal water resources fall
to the share of the liberated territories, which is approximately
2.56 bcm annually. In particular, there is a favorable potential
for the implementation of solar energy projects in the liberated
territories. Thus, Zangilan, Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Fuzuli
districts are the second most favorable districts in the country
followed by Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic according to the solar
radiation observed.
As a result of the initial observations, the relevant areas with
favorable solar radiation were identified. The potential of solar
energy in the liberated territories is estimated at more than 7,200
MW.
The territory of Jabrayil and Zangilan districts was considered
expedient on the basis of preliminary studies, topography for solar
power projects, climatic conditions, proximity to the network,
energy production potential, transport infrastructure and
comparative analysis of other technical factors.
The presence of favorable wind potential in the liberated
territories, especially in the mountainous parts of the Lachin and
Kalbajar districts, was determined according to preliminary
research. The wind power potential in these areas is around 2,000
MW.
In previous years, relevant scientific research has been carried
out on the existence of geothermal energy sources in the liberated
territories. Geothermal energy is mainly used for electricity
generation (with favorable temperature and debit), thermal power
supply and tourism-balneological purposes.