WHEN MORE WAS DONE THAN PROMISED

It is impossible to imagine life without a computer, an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a TV, plastic cards and other benefits of modern civilization. Humanity is so used to and dependent on electronic systems that it would be no mistake to say that the Apocalypse in the modern sense is a complete loss of electricity.

Quite recently though, just eight to 10 years ago, we occasionally experienced power cuts in Baku - both scheduled and unscheduled. And it was good if the blackouts occurred during the day because there was hope that they would fix it by the evening. But if the power was cut after nine in the evening, it was always thought that it would not be switched back on until the next morning.

But this is all in the past. We are now so accustomed to the stable power supply that in case of outages we can call the emergency services even late at night and quite reasonably expect to have the problem resolved within half an hour.

Of course, we should note the overall growth in Azerbaijan's power capacity, the foundation of which was laid during the leadership of nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev in the republic in 1969-1982. It was under his leadership that large power plants which have become indestructible pillars of Azerbaijani energy were built.

Over these years, electricity lines were built to all the settlements and homes of our country. While in 1969, Azerbaijan was a republic importing electricity, in 1982 it started to export it.

The collapse of the Soviet Union affected the electricity system as the republic felt the brunt of power cuts. But in the early 1990s, the country which had just declared independence and was at war with Armenian aggressors had many other problems.

The revival of energy facilities began after Heydar Aliyev returned to power in 1993.

After Ilham Aliyev was elected president, special attention was paid to power engineering. Thus, over the past seven years Azerbaijan's power grid has increased by a third, or 2,300 MW, to reach 6,500 MW. Moreover, an increase of 1,500 MW was achieved through the construction of new power plants. By the end of 2012 power output will increase to 7,900 MW.

Thus, the energy being produced is more than sufficient to address the needs of a fast-growing economy. In subsequent years, Azerbaijan will become a major exporter of electricity. But the availability of a large generation capacity does not mean an uninterrupted supply of electricity to consumers, which has often been said by President Ilham Aliyev. In his speeches he has ordered to pay more attention to creating a modern electricity distribution network in the country.

This instruction has largely been fulfilled by "BakiElektrikSabaka". It is thanks to the efforts of the "BakiElektrikSabaka" JSC, which enjoys complete support of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, that we have forgotten what power outages are. And in the event of accidents their consequences are quickly eliminated. President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly attended the opening ceremonies for new substations and other facilities.

The "BakiElektrikSabaka" JSC was established in 2000.

The activities of "BakiElektrikSabaka" as an independent entity have been restored and the company actually began operating as a distributor of electricity in November 2006. The new management of the company inherited it in a dilapidated condition with frequent interruptions in electricity supply and, consequently, consumer complaints.

As a result, in the last two months of 2006 the focus was on addressing the immediate problems related to the improvement of electricity supplies to customers. In particular, transformer stations were built and repaired and cables replaced in different parts of the capital.

Major renovation of the Baku power grid started in 2007. The emphasis was initially placed on such suburban districts as Sabuncu, Xazar, Suraxani, Binaqadi and Xatai, which was understandable given the frequent power cuts experienced there.

In particular, two new 110/35/10 kV substations, Buzovna and Sixov, and six 35/10 and 35/6 kV substations, Sabuncu, Savalan, Xosa xuna, Bilgah, Amburan and substation № 407, were built  in 2007. In 2006 and 2007, a total of 70 new transformer stations were built and 247 reconstructed.

Simultaneously with the construction and reconstruction of substations and transformer stations, transmission lines were renewed. The focus was on replacing the overhead lines with cables and the application of new technologies. In the Old Ahmadli settlement, a project for the construction of 0.4 kV electrical networks using self-supporting insulated wires was implemented. These cables virtually nullify the technical losses and prevent illicit connections to the network.

In 2008, "BakiElektrikSabaka" was focused on improving the energy supply and continued work on creating a powerful network of high-voltage substations which will supply the Greater Baku (including the suburban settlements) in the future.

In 2008, for instance, four 110/35/6 and 110/35/10 kV substations - Airport, № 227, 215, 203, and seven 35/6, 35/10 kV substations № 431 , 430, 226, 200, Zira Baglar, Sahil, Narimanov were built. The 110/35/10 kV Airport substation is designed to improve the supply of the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, while other substations are intended to supply the central districts of Baku - Yasamal, Narimanov, Sabail.

Major repairs and reconstruction have been carried out at nine substations with a capacity 35/10 and 35/6 kV. Eight new transformer stations have been built and 31 remodeled. A lot has been done to replace power lines, connect new substations to the system, replace the user's transmission lines with XLPE cables and install new counters. Office buildings for a number of regional branches of "BakiElektrikSabaka" have also been constructed and renovated.

In 2009, "BakiElektrikSabaka" focused primarily on the low-voltage network that was in need of repair and reconstruction. In particular, three substations were built, work on the construction and equipping of new substations started in previous years was continued, and about 15 substations were repaired and re-equipped. Almost all substations belonged to the 35/10/6 kV network. Considerable work was carried out in the subscriber network and replacing the cables and power lines. A stock of materials and equipment was set up to deal with emergency situations.

In the next two and a half years, from 2010 to May of 2012, "BakiElektrikSabaka" JSC stepped up work on the construction of new high-voltage cables and overhead lines between new substations, as well as low-voltage and subscriber networks. Even the networks with a capacity of up to 0.4 kV (subscriber), not to mention major substations, were built using the latest XLPE cables and electronic meters that enable subscribers to pay online by sending SMS messages.

Over this period (2010 - May 2012), more than 40 substations were was built and reconstructed, including the large-voltage 110/35/6 kV substations Xocasan, Yeni Icarisahar, Daglig, Badamdar, Liman, Yeni Bayil, Yasamal-2, Darnagul-1, ZBK and others that have formed the basis of the ring system of "BakiElektrikSabaka" JSC.

A modern 35/10 kV substation Bayrag Meydani was built, providing electricity to the State Flag Square and the adjacent Baku Cristal Hall, which recently hosted the Eurovision song contest. Thanks to this substation, residents and visitors of the capital can admire the magnificent lighting of the Azerbaijani flag hoisted at an altitude of 160 meters in the evening and night time. In addition, 35/10 kV substations Ganclik, Upland Park and others have been built to improve the energy supply of the center of Baku.

In general, in the time period between November 2006 and the present, over 620 million manats has been invested in the reconstruction of the Baku energy system. These funds have been used to build or renovate 18 substations with a capacity of 110 kV, 46 kV substations with a capacity of 35 kV and 120 transformer stations, more than 400 have been renovated and 780 new power transformers with a capacity of 6-10/0.4 kV installed in them. Furthermore, 400 km of new overhead lines and 150 km of 110 kV power cables, 200 km of overhead lines and 650 km 35 kV power cables have been laid. Through this work, the capacity of the transformers installed in 35 and 110 kV substations was increased by 62 per cent in comparison with 2006 to reach 5015 MVA.

The reconstruction of the distribution network, especially the installation of 0.4 kV SIP-subscriber cables, the application of modern technologies to the metering process, the remote control system used in SCADA substations, modern protective relays and automatic systems have enabled the company to minimize long-term emergency power outages. Technical losses have dropped by 6  per cent to constitute 10 per cent and peak loads have been eliminated.

"BakiElektrikSabaka" continues to supply customers with uninterrupted and quality electricity under the state program on the socioeconomic development of Baku and its suburban settlements in 2011-2013, which has been approved by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

As in all other spheres of economy, a key role in the energy reforms is played by the human factor. Therefore, working conditions of staff are always at the center of attention for the company and activities are constantly carried out in this direction.

Thus, the central administrative staff of "BakiElektrikSabaka" has been moved to a new office building constructed in accordance with the architectural style of the city and equipped with an electronic management system. In addition, while there were only two office buildings on the ground before, new offices have now been built in the Sabail, Binaqadi, Nasimi, Narimanov, Nizami, Garadag, Suraxani and Xazar districts, housing departments on the provision and sale of electricity. Service stations have also been built in the villages of Zira, Bina, Kesla, Zabrat, Buzovna and Pirallahi. Modern warehouses for the storage of materials and spare parts, fully equipped laboratories testing and repairing meters have also been established.

"BakiElektrikSabaka" managers have been paying considerable attention to personnel training. To this end, a new training center has been set up, providing a variety of courses on specific areas of the energy sector, including the operation and maintenance of overhead power lines, installation and repair of meters, electrical services, computer networks and software, etc. A total of 375 people have been trained, most of whom have received appropriate certificates.

This routine but enormous work has allowed the company to significantly reduce losses, prevent illegal connections to the network and provide us, the consumers, with uninterrupted supply of electricity.

Even a cursory glance at the amount of investment will suffice to understand how much the "BakiElektrikSabaka" JSC has done and how important it is for us, the consumers, to give a fair assessment to this work. So far, investment for the development of the energy system in Baku has been provided by the government. But in any developed country investments are recovered through sale. Therefore, the consumers must promptly and fully pay the cost of the electricity consumed. After all, we all get nervous even if electricity is turned off for 10-15 minutes. And to prevent this from happening, it is necessary to constantly update the energy infrastructure of Baku, which requires huge financial investments. By not paying for electricity, we put at risk not only the electricity supply of our own homes, but also the entire city.

Think about this ...