Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijan’s State Agency on Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources is taking part in international tenders for supply of engineering solutions, Jamil Melikov told Trend.

The deputy head of the state agency said that there are certain prospects in the sphere of exporting solutions and technologies in alternative energy.

"These prospects are small, because it is very difficult to compete with Chinese equipment manufacturers in the field of alternative energy," Melikov said. "However, we are trying to position ourselves in the solutions export market more than in the goods export market."

The economic feasibility of the alternative energy development remains even if energy prices are low, he added.

"Alternative energy uses free resources," Melikov noted. "Almost 70 percent of the cost of electricity and any other type of energy include the cost of energy resources. So, theoretically, I think that the renewable energy will have no competition in the near future. Currently, our small projects in alternative energy can seriously compete with the projects regarding traditional energy."

He added that nowadays, it is difficult for the State Agency to compete in the areas where traditional energy has been used over a long period of time, where power transmission lines are already stretched, as well as in the areas having substations and extensive electricity network.

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.

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.

Currently, the capacity of Azerbaijan’s electricity system exceeds 12,000 megawatt. The total potential of renewable energy sources exceeds 25,300 megawatt in the country.

The major part of the country's potential in this sphere accounts for solar energy and this potential is estimated at 5,000 megawatt.

Wind energy accounts for 4,500 megawatt, biomass - 1,500 megawatt, geothermal energy - 800 megawatt and the remaining 350 megawatt accounts for the small hydro power plants.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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