The 240-megawatt Khizi-Absheron Wind Power Plant has been inaugurated in Azerbaijan on Thursday (8 Jan) by President Ilham Aliyev, who described the launch as a landmark moment for Azerbaijan's energy sector. It's the first large-scale, independently developed wind energy project in the country.
Speaking at Gulustan Palace on the highlands over looking Baku where the project’s foundation stone was laid in January 2022, President Aliyev highlighted the three years of intensive work that led to the successful completion of the facility, costing $337.9 million.
He thanked all involved in the construction and gave special recognition to Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power, the main investor, noting that this is the company’s first renewable energy project in Azerbaijan but not the last.
“ACWA Power is a global leader in energy, and we fully support its future plans in Azerbaijan,” Aliyev said.
He added that the company is also exploring the country’s first seawater desalination plant using Caspian Sea water, describing the vast offshore wind potential of the Caspian Sea (estimated internationally at 157 gigawatts) as a major growth area for the future.
The President praised the professionalism of Azerbaijani energy specialists, noting that integrating large volumes of renewable energy into the national grid is technically complex and capital-intensive.
He reaffirmed that Azerbaijan’s energy policy is based on the parallel development of traditional and renewable generation, a strategy he described as essential for energy security.
President Ilham Aliyev stressed Azerbaijan’s stable and reliable investment climate, noting more than US$300 billion in total investment, low external debt, strong foreign currency reserves, and improved international credit ratings.
He reaffirmed that the country is a trustworthy partner, stating that no energy contracts have ever been altered and that Azerbaijan’s commitments are fully respected.
The President said Azerbaijan is becoming an increasingly important contributor to regional and international energy security, exporting oil, gas, electricity, and energy products while maintaining political and social stability.
Khizi-Absheron power plant
The Khizi-Absheron Wind Power Plant is a greenfield Independent Power Project (IPP) spanning the Absheron and Khizi districts, the 240-MW facility comprises 37 turbines (12 in Absheron and 25 in Khizi) and is designed to generate up to 907 GWh of clean electricity annually, enough to power more than 300,000 households.
The project supports Azerbaijan’s renewable energy transition, enhances energy diversification, and is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 400,000 tons per year.
Green energy growth
Over the past two decades, Azerbaijan’s electricity generation capacity has nearly tripled, now standing at around 10,000 megawatts.
Recent milestones include a 230-MW solar plant, the 240-MW Khizi–Absheron wind plant, and the ongoing construction of three solar plants in Jabrayil with a combined capacity of 340 MW.
Further large-scale renewable projects are planned in Bilasuvar, Neftchala, Nakhchivan, and the liberated territories, with the country’s geography allowing for energy production across nearly its entire area.
Azerbaijan is also building its first battery energy storage system, beginning with a 250-MW project by Azerenergy, and inviting foreign investors to participate in upcoming storage initiatives.
According to signed contracts, the country plans to develop 6 gigawatts of wind and solar capacity by 2030 and up to 8 gigawatts by 2032, supplemented by hydropower.
In Karabakh and East Zangazur, around 40 small hydropower plants have been built with a combined capacity exceeding 300 MW.
Gaza families are watching the Rafah crossing closely as expectations build for a phased reopening under the peace plan, though no timetable has been ...
U.S. border czar Tom Homan, newly appointed to oversee President Donald Trump's immigration surge in Minneapolis, said agents would concentrate on tar...
Freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall have pushed vulnerable Afghan families to breaking point, adding new pressure to a country already battered b...
Iran’s armed forces are prepared to “immediately and powerfully” respond to any U.S. attack, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said, as Amer...
“The decision is made that the Qamishli air base is not needed anymore,” political analyst Dmitry Bridzhe said, as Russia begins withdrawing force...
The 27 European Union member states have approved €20 million (approximately $23.3 million) in assistance for Armenia from the European Peace Facility, following Hungary’s decision to lift its earlier veto, European media reported on Wednesday (28 January).
Afghanistan is seeking Azerbaijan’s support to help secure its official participation in the upcoming United Nations COP31 global climate change conference, scheduled to be held in Türkiye, as Kabul looks to strengthen its engagement on climate diplomacy and technical cooperation.
Armenia’s current peace rhetoric sends a dual message, balancing signals of readiness for reconciliation with Azerbaijan while maintaining a hard line on security amid an election period, says political analyst.
Iran’s ambassador to Azerbaijan Mojtaba Demirchilou has outlined Tehran’s carefully calibrated positions on Azerbaijan’s relations with Israel and on major regional connectivity projects in an interview with AnewZ.
The S&P 500 edged to a record closing high on Tuesday, marking its fifth consecutive day of gains, as strong advances in technology stocks offset a sharp selloff in healthcare shares and a mixed batch of corporate earnings.
Residents in Syria’s Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli have stepped up volunteer patrols amid growing pressure from the country’s Islamist-led government, expressing deep mistrust of Damascus despite a fragile U.S.-backed ceasefire.
Liverpool confirmed direct qualification to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 with a 6-0 win over Qarabağ at Anfield in their final league-phase match. Despite the setback, Qarabağ secured a play-off spot, with results elsewhere going in the Azerbaijani champions’ favour on the final matchday.
Iraq's former Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki said on Wednesday that he rejects U.S. interference in Iraq's internal affairs, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to cut off support to the country if Maliki was picked as prime minister.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stressed to U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call on Tuesday the importance of unifying international efforts to prevent the return of "terrorist groups", including Islamic State.
Storm Kristin has killed at least five people and left more than 850,000 residents of central and northern Portugal without electricity on Wednesday (28 January), as it toppled trees, damaged homes, and disrupted road and rail traffic before moving inland to Spain.
Several people, including children, were reported missing in New Zealand's north island on Thursday after a landslide struck a coastal campsite amid heavy rain that caused evacuations of people to safety, road closures and widespread power outages.
At least four people were killed on Tuesday as floods swept across Tunisia during the worst torrential rain for more than 70 years in some regions, and there were fears the death toll could rise, authorities said.
The world has already entered an era of global water bankruptcy, with irreversible damage to rivers, aquifers, lakes and glaciers pushing billions of people into long-term water insecurity, according to a major United Nations report released on Tuesday.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in two southern regions of country on Sunday as raging wildfires forced at least 20,000 people to evacuate and left at least 19 people dead.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment