Azernews.Az

By Nigar Abbasova

President Ilham Aliyev visited the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on January 11.

Within his visit, the president attended a groundbreaking ceremony of Ordubad Hydroelectric Power Plant and laid a foundation stone for the new plant.

The diversion-type plant, which will be located on the Araz River is expected to have a capacity of 36 MW, while the length of the diversion-type canal will be 12,738 meters. Besides, the reservoir with the capacity of 1.5 million cubic meters is planned to be built for the plant.

Addressing a meeting with a teaching staff of the newly renovated building of Nakhchivan city Russian secondary school №3 the president said that the establishment of the plant will significantly increase energy potential of the Autonomous Republic.

“We are providing for energy security in Nakhchivan. For the past years, we have constructed several stations. We opened Bilyav hydroelectric power plant in 2010, Arpachay plant in 2014, and solar power plant in 2015. Earlier, we commissioned Nakhchivan gas-turbine plant. After the commissioning of Ordubad plant, we will further increase energy security and export potential of the Autonomous Republic. The president went on saying that the energy security is of pivotal importance for Nakhchivan.

“The Autonomous Republic has no geographic link with the major part of our country. Therefore, we should pay a special attention to the development of the energy potential. Today, Nakhchivan is totally provided with electric energy. At the same time, it exports the electric energy,” he said.

The construction of Ordubad plant is being implemented under the MOU signed between Azerbaijan and Iran. The document envisages cooperation in construction of power plants at Khoda Afarin and Qiz Qalasi dams on Araz River, as well as the construction of Ordubad power plant on the Azerbaijani side and Marazad power plant on the Iranian side.

Talking about gasification process, the president mentioned that projects in this direction have been completed.

“The level of gasification in Nakhchivan stands at 100 percent. This is a great achievement. In 2005 we launched natural gas supplies from Iran to Nakhchivan through swap operations. The project is being successfully implemented.”

Within his visit, the president also attended the opening of a residential building constructed for officers and ensigns of the Emergency Situations Ministry in Nakhchivan. The seven-storey building comprises 48 apartments and includes a recreation room, beauty salon, men's hair salon and a 40-seat canteen.

Also, the head of state attended a ceremony to launch drinking water supply and sewage systems in Julfa district center and surrounding villages. The construction work started in 2012. The project saw the construction of water system in the city of Julfa and Gulustan village, as well as a sewage system in the city of Julfa. Two fresh water reservoirs, with the capacity of 5,000 cubic meters each, were built. Some 25,700 people in the city of Julfa and Gulustan village were continuously provided with fresh, sustainable, environmentally clean drinking water that meets World Health Organisation standards.

The Supreme Commander also attended the opening of a soldier barracks and military-household complex in a military unit of Detached Combined Arms Army in Nakhchivan. The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the soldier barracks and military-household complex and viewed the conditions created at the soldier barracks. The barracks with a total area of 4,000 square meters comprises some 24 rooms.

“Military potential and defense capability of Nakhchivan is at the highest level. The army of the Autonomous republic is ready to implement any task, it secures its borders.”

Talking about transport difficulties of Nakhchivan the president noted that certain steps have already been taken to tackle the problem.

“Nakhchivan-Tabriz-Tehran-Mashhad passenger train has already been launched. We are working on North – South transport corridor with the Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia. After the implementation of the North-South, Nakhchivan will be linked to the main part of Azerbaijan through Iran by railway. We want to accelerate the project. After its implementation, goods produced in Azerbaijan will be supplied to the world market.

On the same day, President Aliyev completed his visit to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

---

Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz