Azerbaijan plans to build 36 small hydropower plants

According to preliminary estimates, the theoretical hydropower potential of all rivers in Azerbaijan is 40 billion kilowatt-hours, Azerenergy (electricity production and distribution in Azerbaijan) Etibar Pirverdiyev said in his interview posted on the ruling New Azerbaijan Party’s official website.

He said that the theoretical potential of small hydropower plants is 28 billion kilowatt-hours.

Pirverdiyev said in general 280 small hydropower plants with total capacity of 700 megawatt and annual production of 3.5 billion kilowatt-hours are possible to be built on the rivers and water industry facilities.

The construction of 36 small hydropower plants is considered the most reasonable in the near future.

At present, in accordance with the schedule, the construction of small hydropower plants "Goychay-1,"Balaken-1" and "Gusar-1" is underway. Work has also started on the preparation for the construction of small hydropower plants with total capacity of 16.3 megawatt on mountain rivers and canals. Within the construction of these plants geological exploration work has been carried out, feasibility studies have been prepared, preparation of design estimates is underway, Pirverdiyev said.

Construction of great and small hydropower plants in the country by 2015 will allow saving over two million tons of fuel and significantly reduce carbon gases emission into atmosphere.


/Trend/