Azerbaijan’s renewables potential tops 12 GW

Nov 4, 2014 - The renewable energy potential of Azerbaijan is estimated at over 12,000 MW, about 5,000 MW of which is solar, according to a government official.

The country can accommodate about 4,500 MW of wind farms, 1,500 MW of biomass facilities and 800 MW of geothermal power stations, Samir Rahimov from the State Agency on Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources said, as cited by local daily AzerNews on Monday. The potential for small hydropower plants (HPPs) is estimated at 350 MW, he said during a conference in Baku.

To take advantage of its resources, Azerbaijan plans to launch a 300-MW renewables initiative that will focus on the construction of solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and HPP facilities. According to preliminary research, it will build up to 100 plants in five years.

The Republic has already invested more than AZN 100 million (USD 127.5m/EUR 102m) to develop renewable energy schemes. By 2020, Azerbaijan will seek to boost the share of renewables in its total power mix to 20%.

(AZN 1.0 = USD 1.275/EUR 1.018)

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