Azernews.Az

Qabil Ashirov

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Azerbaijan continues to restore and integrate the liberated territories – Garabagh and the adjacent seven districts – into the country. As is known, in the 1990s, Armenia invaded Garabagh and 7 adjacent districts and kept these territories under occupation for over 30 years.

During these 30 years, Armenia plundered the territories and destroyed the infrastructure. They demolished the houses in Aghdam, Fuzuli, and other regions, carried the construction materials derived from the demolition to Yerevan, and sold them.

According to Azerbaijani POWs, who were forced to work as slaves contradicting international laws, the citizens of neighboring countries, such as Iran, were involved in the plunder and selling of the construction materials derived from the demolition. The plunder extended so much that Armenians dismantled the railways linking Khankendi to Nakhchivan and sold the metals. It should be emphasized that the said railway could have played a crucial role in favor of Armenia in the 44-day war in 2020. However, the desire for a quick win blinded the Armenian side to such an extent that they shot themselves in the legs.

After 30 years, Azerbaijan reclaimed its territories and began reconstruction and restoration works. One of the priorities is taking revenues from the natural resources of the liberated territories to make the region viable. As is known, since the liberated territories have a 10 GWh green energy potential, Azerbaijan has initiated efforts to turn these territories into green zones and has been conducting several projects in this regard. Only in 2024, Azerbaijan generated 550 million kWh (550 GWh) in the liberated territories.

Azerbaijan is not satisfied with these achievements. Only in 2024, Azerbaijan commissioned 4 HPPs in the liberated territories, and 2024, Azerbaijan plans to commission six hydropower plants with a total capacity of 37.5 megawatts. The planned hydropower plants include the Takagaya (7.7 MW), Agchay (3 MW), and Chaykand (5 MW) plants in the Kalbajar district; the Sheylanli (4 MW) and Aşagı Malibay (3.1 MW) plants in the Lachin district; and the Qozlukorpu (14.7 MW) plant in the Aghdere district. Each of these six plants will have individual water intake structures, and a total of 40 km of diversion pipes will be laid to supply water to the plants.

These six hydropower plants are expected to collectively produce 110 million kilowatt-hours of green energy annually, saving 24 million cubic meters of gas and preventing 44,000 tons of carbon emissions. The commissioning of these plants is scheduled for the first half of 2025. In addition to these efforts, Azerbaijan is also focusing on integrating modern technologies and sustainable practices to ensure the long-term viability of the liberated territories. The government's comprehensive plan includes developing infrastructure, promoting tourism, and enhancing agricultural productivity to foster economic growth and improve the quality of life for residents. As Azerbaijan moves forward, the commitment to green energy and sustainable development remains at the forefront of its strategy.