Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Energy signed a series of agreements with the country’s largest electrical power producer Azerenergy and Masdar of the United Arab Emirates regarding a 230 megawatts (MW) solar power plant.
“The transformation of Azerbaijan into a country of green growth through the extensive use of renewable energy sources over the next 10 years has been defined by President Ilham Aliyev as one of the national priorities that will ensure socio-economic development,” said Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov. “By signing these contracts for a solar power plant worth about 200 million US dollars, we are one step closer to our goals for the renewable energy and carbon emissions.”
According to the Ministry, the solar power plant to be built in Baku and Absheron district will produce about 500 million kilowatts-hour (kWh) of electricity annually, save 110 million cubic metres of natural gas, reduce carbon emissions by 200,000 tons, create new jobs and attract other investors to new projects.
“Trough Masdar, the UAE has partnered on profitable renewable energy projects generating 11 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy in more than 30 countries around the world,” pointed out Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chairman of Masdar, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of United Arab Emirates. “And today we are proud to begin our first renewable energy project in Azerbaijan. By adding 230 MW of solar power, our partnership will not only help to achieve clean energy target but will also create knowledge, skills and jobs.”
Finally, the President of Azerenergy, Baba Rzayev underlined the importance of wind and solar energy pilot projects in the course of diversifying the energy production of Azerbaijan, which has become an exporter of electricity along with ensuring its energy security, through renewable energy sources.
