(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. The relevance of
using green energy is growing around the world, Trend
reports.
Azerbaijan is one of the countries with high potential in the
field of renewable energy sources, which has identified specific
goals related to the development of this industry and is
implementing a rapid transition to green energy.
The holding of such a prestigious event as COP29 in Azerbaijan
and Azerbaijan's fulfillment of its climate commitments indicate a
high level of Political and economic stability.
The expansion of green energy production in the country takes an
important place in the "Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for
Socio-Economic Development" program approved by the President of
the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.
Azerbaijan's goal in terms of overall energy production is to
increase the share of renewable energy sources to 24 percent by
2025 and to 30 percent by 2030.
According to statistical data, the technical potential of the
country's renewable energy sources is 135 gigawatts on land and 157
gigawatts in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.
The economic potential of renewable energy sources is 27
gigawatts, including 3,000 MW from wind energy, 23,000 MW from
solar energy, and 380 MW from bioenergy.
The potential of mountain rivers is estimated at 520 MW.
The liberated Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur regions, as well as
Nakhchivan, have been declared green energy zones in
Azerbaijan.
The transition to green energy in the liberated territories is a
significant strategic goal for Azerbaijan.
To accomplish the task of creating a green energy zone in the
liberated territories, a contract has been signed with the Japanese
TEPSCO company.
A corresponding concept and General Plan have been developed for
the energy supply of the region in connection with the creation of
the green energy zone.
The green energy potential of the liberated lands of Azerbaijan
is enormous.
For instance, in terms of the amount of solar radiation reaching
the Earth's surface, the Zangilan, Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Fuzuli
districts rank second after Nakhchivan.
According to the latest estimates, the territories of Karabakh
and Eastern Zangezur have a solar and wind energy potential of 10
gigawatts.
The Gubadli, Zangilan, Jabrayil, Khojavand, and Fuzuli districts
have favorable conditions for using solar energy with a technical
potential of over 7,200 MW.
Additionally, the preliminary forecast for the technical
potential of wind energy in the mountainous regions of Lachin and
Kalbajar districts is estimated at 2,000 MW.
Increasing attention is paid to the potential use of geothermal
energy sources as green energy in the Kalbajar, Aghdara, and Shusha
districts.
According to preliminary analysis, the Kalbajar district is
assumed to have thermal water reserves of 3,093 cubic meters per
day, and Shusha has 412 cubic meters per day.
The use of geothermal energy sources in energy production and
consumption generally does not require significant financial
resources.
Wind power plants will be constructed in Lachin and
Kalbajar.
Next year, BP will lay the foundation for the Shafag (Sunrise)
solar power plant with a capacity of 240 MW in Jabrayil.
Additionally, sites for the construction of solar power plants
are being coordinated with Nobel Energy in Jabrayil and a Chinese
company in Fuzuli.
The prospect of transmitting electricity to Nakhchivan, and from
there to Türkiye and then to Europe through the Jabrayil energy
hub, embodies the great strategic vision of the President of
Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the focused efforts to implement
it.
In 2022, the foundation for the Jabrayil energy hub with a
capacity of 330 kV was laid as part of the
Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Europe International Energy Project.
Last month, the "Khudafarin" and“Giz Galasi” hydroelectric
complexes were launched on the Araz river at the state border
between Azerbaijan and Iran.
The hydroelectric power plants of the same name, with a total
installed capacity of 140 MW for each side, will serve the
interests of both countries on a parity basis.
This project will enable Azerbaijan to produce 358 million
kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and save 80 million cubic
meters of gas.
"Khudafarin" and "Gyz Galasi" will become crucial elements in
the development of Eastern Zangezur as a green energy zone.
The Jabrayil energy hub, to which the plants will be connected,
will serve as a new energy link between Eastern Zangezur and
Nakhchivan.
Large rivers such as Tartar, Bazarchay, Hakarichay, and other
smaller rivers in the liberated territories have significant
hydroelectric potential.
To create the green energy zone being implemented in Karabakh
and the Eastern Zangezur regions, 72 small hydropower plants with a
total capacity of 467 MW will be built by 2030.
In less than three years, 28 hydropower plants with a total
capacity of 226 MW have been reconstructed or built in the
region.
Installation and commissioning work is underway at four
hydropower plants with a total capacity of 44 MW.
As a result, a sustainable power supply scheme has been created
throughout the region, and in the first half of 2024, declared the
"Year of Solidarity for a Green World," 32 hydropower plants with a
total capacity of 270 MW will be commissioned.
These plants will produce more than 600 million kilowatt-hours
of green energy annually, saving over 160 million cubic meters of
natural gas and reducing CO2 emissions by more than 330,000
tons.
Additionally, tender procedures have begun for the
implementation of a project involving six small hydropower plants
with a total capacity of 37.5 MW.
The plants from these projects are expected to be commissioned
next year, indicating the accelerated transition to green energy,
reducing CO2 emissions, saving natural gas, and producing
environmentally friendly energy.
The use of green energy is planned for all cities and villages
in the liberated territories.
All cities and villages in the liberated territories are
designated for the use of green energy. According to the developed
concept for creating solar and wind power plants in the Karabakh
and Eastern Zangezur economic regions, the electricity consumed in
these territories will come exclusively from renewable energy
sources, already yielding positive results.
Thus, for the first time in the country's energy system history,
the electricity needs of the Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur regions
are being met by 100 percent green energy, with any surplus being
transferred to the national power system.
Considering future projects, the total capacity of green energy
projects being implemented in the Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur
economic regions is 1,100 MW, which is 12–15 times the current
energy needs of the region.
The total energy demand for the region by 2040 is projected to
be 1,000 MW, meaning that in 20 years, the region will be fully
supplied with green energy, given the volume of ongoing green
energy projects.
Following the liberation of Azerbaijani lands, the
infrastructure destroyed by Armenians began to be restored.
The concept of a green economy has started to be implemented in
these regions, with specific steps already being taken in this
direction.
These processes began with the construction of Aghali village in
the Zangilan district based on the concepts of 'smart city' and
'smart village'.
All residential houses, social facilities, administrative
buildings, and catering buildings, as well as the processing and
production of agricultural products, are powered by alternative
energy sources.
Today, modern urban planning standards have been applied in
Aghali village, such as 'smart' street lighting, the construction
of eco-friendly houses that are resistant to heat and cold, and the
installation of solar panels.
Besides, to provide the village with constant energy, a
hydroelectric power plant was built on the Hakari river.
In addition, Bash Garvand village in the Aghdam district is also
being built under the 'smart village' project.
In order to save on energy resources, the village will use
alternative energy.
Dovlatyarli village in Fizuli district is also being built
according to the concept of a 'smart village'.
Due to the large number of sunny days in Fuzuli, the village's
energy needs will be met by solar panels that will be installed on
an area of 50 hectares.
The capacity of the investment project will be 50 MW.
In addition, Lachin city itself, Zabukh, and Sus villages are
using green technologies.
Solar panels with a capacity of three kW have been installed on
223 private houses in Zabukh and 59 in Sus.
Green energy is also used in restored schools, kindergartens,
and government institutions.
For example, solar panels with a capacity of 40 kW have been
installed on the roof of a renovated school in the Fuzuli
district.
The Innovative Electric Grid Technologies Center in Shusha city
has applied green energy technologies.
The center has facilities for charging electric vehicles and
solar panels.
A Smartflower solar power installation has been set up in
Khojaly.
This installation has a capacity of 2.5 kW and generates 6,500
kWh of green energy annually.
In addition to energy production, this device will also serve as
a charging station for electric vehicles, bicycles, and
scooters.
Connecting Khankendi to the national power system and providing
electricity to the republic's territories through the Shusha
substation are proud milestones in the history of the country's
electricity sector.
One of the factors affecting climate change is carbon emissions
into the atmosphere.
Therefore, various efforts are underway in the liberated
territories to increase the transition to electric vehicles.
As a result, Shusha will become the first city in Karabakh to
operate electric buses.
Additionally, 20 electric vehicle charging stations are planned
to be opened in Karabakh by the end of the year.
All necessary measures are taken to prevent damage to the
environment during the construction of railways. On the 85th km of
the Horadiz-Aghband line, near the Minjivan station, in agreement
with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, trees were
carefully replanted in order not to damage the forest.
Every effort is made to ensure that no damage to the environment
is caused during the construction of railways.
Every project of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC (ADY) pays special
attention to planting trees along the railway line.
As part of the Barda-Aghdam project, pine trees and other types
of trees have already been planted.
Azerbaijan is a leader in the region in the use of innovative
approaches aimed at the transition to green energy and is making a
significant contribution to combating the effects of climate
change.
Green energy projects are among the most important for
preserving the natural climate of the Earth.
Azerbaijan also strives to protect the country's nature through
green energy projects and contributes to the conservation and
protection of the Earth.
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