Minister urges tapping alternate energy sources in remote regions
Azerbaijani Minister of Industry and Energy Natig
Aliyev has called for developing alternative sources of energy in
the country`s regions.
``Alternative energy should be developed mainly in Azerbaijan`s remote districts where laying electricity and gas lines is unfeasible and not lucrative,`` Aliyev told the tenth International Baku Congress on ``Energy, Ecology and Economy`` that started on Wednesday.
The minister pointed to the importance of drafting pilot projects to develop the sector, saying work was underway to accomplish the objective. Such projects may be launched as early as in 2010, he said.
Aliyev noted that, regardless of the availability of considerable energy resources, countries around the world are currently seeking to capitalize on the potential of alternative sources. He said resource-rich Azerbaijan should not lag behind those countries. Solar and wind power, as well as the Caspian Sea and small rivers could be used for the purpose.
We recall that President Ilham Aliyev enacted a decree in July on establishing the State Agency for Alternative and Renewable Sources of Energy. According to the minister, a number of objectives have to be met prior to setting up the agency.
``First of all, respective legal framework is to be created, as there are presently no documents in legislation regulating the use and production of alternative sources of energy as well as relations between producers and consumers,`` the minister said.
Industry experts say Azerbaijan commands vast potential to develop alternate sources of energy, though this is not considered profitable over a short term. The most affordable type of alternate energy is small water basins. 61 small sources of water are available in the country, and it is possible to build hydro-power stations there. Also, Azerbaijan surpasses a slew of countries for the number of sunny days during the year. For instance, whereas there are 1,000 to 1,500 sunny hours in neighboring Russia, 1,500 to 2,000 hrs in the United States, and 2,000 to 3,000 hrs in China, the figure is 2,400 to 3,200 hrs in Azerbaijan. In other words, the South Caucasus republic is sunny almost throughout the year, which allows generating considerable amounts of solar energy.
The country`s wind power generating capacity is estimated at some 800 MWt a year, or 2.4 billion KWt/hr of energy, which allows saving a considerable bulk of fuel. Two wind power facilities have already been put into operation in Azerbaijan`s Khyzy district, each with the output capacity of 1 MWt. Their capacity is expected to increase dramatically in the future.
The Baku Congress is attended by representatives of over 30 countries, including, among others, those from the United States, Japan, Ukraine, and Italy. The three-day event was organized by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Industry and Energy, the National Academy of Sciences and the International Ecoenergy Academy (IEA).
``Alternative energy should be developed mainly in Azerbaijan`s remote districts where laying electricity and gas lines is unfeasible and not lucrative,`` Aliyev told the tenth International Baku Congress on ``Energy, Ecology and Economy`` that started on Wednesday.
The minister pointed to the importance of drafting pilot projects to develop the sector, saying work was underway to accomplish the objective. Such projects may be launched as early as in 2010, he said.
Aliyev noted that, regardless of the availability of considerable energy resources, countries around the world are currently seeking to capitalize on the potential of alternative sources. He said resource-rich Azerbaijan should not lag behind those countries. Solar and wind power, as well as the Caspian Sea and small rivers could be used for the purpose.
We recall that President Ilham Aliyev enacted a decree in July on establishing the State Agency for Alternative and Renewable Sources of Energy. According to the minister, a number of objectives have to be met prior to setting up the agency.
``First of all, respective legal framework is to be created, as there are presently no documents in legislation regulating the use and production of alternative sources of energy as well as relations between producers and consumers,`` the minister said.
Industry experts say Azerbaijan commands vast potential to develop alternate sources of energy, though this is not considered profitable over a short term. The most affordable type of alternate energy is small water basins. 61 small sources of water are available in the country, and it is possible to build hydro-power stations there. Also, Azerbaijan surpasses a slew of countries for the number of sunny days during the year. For instance, whereas there are 1,000 to 1,500 sunny hours in neighboring Russia, 1,500 to 2,000 hrs in the United States, and 2,000 to 3,000 hrs in China, the figure is 2,400 to 3,200 hrs in Azerbaijan. In other words, the South Caucasus republic is sunny almost throughout the year, which allows generating considerable amounts of solar energy.
The country`s wind power generating capacity is estimated at some 800 MWt a year, or 2.4 billion KWt/hr of energy, which allows saving a considerable bulk of fuel. Two wind power facilities have already been put into operation in Azerbaijan`s Khyzy district, each with the output capacity of 1 MWt. Their capacity is expected to increase dramatically in the future.
The Baku Congress is attended by representatives of over 30 countries, including, among others, those from the United States, Japan, Ukraine, and Italy. The three-day event was organized by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Industry and Energy, the National Academy of Sciences and the International Ecoenergy Academy (IEA).
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