SUN, WIND AND WATER

The development of the world economy, industrialization and the increasing significance of industry make mankind constantly seek new and alternative ways of energy generation. The gradual depletion of traditional resources, particularly oil and gas, poses a new challenge to the world - to develop alternative and renewable energy sources.

Despite large reserves of hydrocarbons, Azerbaijan is not an exception, and in the last few years, the country's leadership has focused on the development of this area. Yes, today the country produces about 50 million tons of oil, 27 billion cubic metres of gas and more than 18 billion kW/h of electricity. But the republic's self-sufficiency in matters of energy security has a downside - the environmental threat. Therefore, there is a need to use new technology for reducing and preventing emissions resulting from the production and combustion of fuel and gas. Increasing the volume of power generation from alternative sources is one of the ways to solve this problem.

The goal is 600 megawatts

Talking about the possibilities of Azerbaijan in the field of alternative energy, it should be noted that the country is fully capable of increasing the capacity of solar energy regeneration to 600 megawatts by 2020.

In addition, according to preliminary estimates, taking into account the natural environment, economic infrastructure and geographical location, the potential of wind energy resources in Azerbaijan is 800 megawatts. Accordingly, this means about 2.4 billion kW/h of electricity, which implies annual economy of about 0.8 million tons of standard fuel.

There are also opportunities for obtaining energy from the processing of municipal solid waste, biomass, thermal springs, and there is potential for the construction of dozens of small hydroelectric power plants.

Of the total volume of the technically feasible hydropower potential of rivers, 5 billion kW/h can be provided by small hydroelectric power plants. The total hydropower potential of rivers in Azerbaijan is 40 billion kW/h, while the technically feasible potential is 16 billion kW/h.

Figures show that possibilities for the development of alternative sources of energy are high. Their development will reduce the consumption of conventional hydrocarbon resources used to generate electricity. For example, the creation of 1,000 megawatts of generating capacity from alternative and renewable energy sources will allow the country to export an additional 1 billion cubic metres of gas.

Development strategy

It should be noted that the State Agency for Alternative and Renewable Energy was specifically set up in the country to oversee activities in the field of alternative energy. Recently, it began to function as a separate entity (not as part of the Ministry of Industry and Energy), which also included LLC Azeralter-nativenergy.

The objectives of Azeralternativ-energy are the exploration, development, production of energy and its transportation, distribution, and design of equipment, installations and facilities for energy generation, etc. The establishment of the agency and its inclusion in Azeralternativenergy extend the possibilities of this entity in the field of alternative energy and therefore require the necessary infrastructure and conditions. In particular, we need a large physical infrastructure, human resources, training, consultants, etc.

There is no doubt that the approval of the law on alternative energy will contribute to the development of this trend, the strategy for the development of alternative and renewable energy sources by 2020 and the formation of the necessary legal and regulatory framework in this area. According to the head of the agency, Hakim Badalov, the implementation of the strategy will increase the share of alternative energy sources in total energy generation to 20 per cent. As part of its creation, studies were carried out and proposals were prepared on the tariff system and personnel policy. The use of the experience of several other countries will help to achieve the goal.

European countries have a lot of experience in this business. In particular, the EU has a programme called "20-20-20", in which alternative energy should account for 20 per cent of power generation in the region by 2020.

By the end of 2012, the total capacity of European wind power plants exceeded 100 GW and doubled compared with 2007. At the same time, the capacity of solar power plants increased by 14 times - to 70 GW.

By 2020, according to the Eurogroup, which unites the operators of European energy systems, alternative energy should account for more than 500 GW.

According to the head of the Baku office of the European Union, Roland Kobia, Azerbaijan is not only rich in energy resources, but also has great potential for alternative and renewable energy sources, including wind, solar and geothermal energy.

"The EU supports Azerbaijan in the field of alternative energy. A number of measures have been prepared and implemented in this direction, including a twinning programme, regional programmes and the United Nations Development Programme INOGATE. Also, 14 million euros have been allocated for the development of programmes for alternative energy," Kobia said.

Qobustan testing area

As was noted above, alternative energy has been developed in the past few years. Accordingly, some work has been done in this direction. A striking example of such projects is the creation of a testing area in Qobustan District of Azerbaijan.

At this testing area, three wind turbines with a total capacity of 2.7 megawatts have been built, solar panels with a capacity of 1.8 MW have been installed and a power plant with a capacity of 1 megawatt, which runs on biogas, has been built.

At present, most enterprises in Qobustan get electricity from the hybrid power plant of the Qobustan testing area. Together with Azerenergy, a system has been created that makes it possible to redirect electricity generated at the testing area into the grid.

By 2015, it is planned to increase the capacity of the hybrid power plant of the Qobustan testing area from the current 5.5 to 8 megawatts. This will make it possible to provide electricity to the city of Qobustan, and later to the whole of Qobustan District.

The head of the State Agency for Alternative Energy, Hakim Badalov, does not exclude the possibility that hybrid power plants will be created in other regions of the country in the future. In the initial phase, the capacity of these stations will be 15-20 MW and will then be increased to 45-50 MW.

On the example of the Qobustan testing area, we can judge the implementation of such projects and their effectiveness. The construction of hybrid power plants will have a positive impact on the socio-economic development of the country. In turn, given the wind potential of the Abseron Peninsula, the development of alternative energy will strengthen the energy security of the capital.

The formation of a new agency with enhanced functions, the approval of a strategy in the field of alternative energy and the formation of the necessary legal framework in this area will serve as an impetus for the development of this modern, high-tech and expensive area and increase the share of alternative energy sources in total energy production and consumption.