Baku: The official opening ceremony of the 240 MW Khizi-Absheron Wind Power Plant, constructed by Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power, was held at the Gulustan Palace in Baku. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, delivered a speech at the event, highlighting the importance of the new plant in enhancing the country’s energy capacity.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, President Aliyev expressed gratitude to ACWA Power and its managers, noting that this is the first renewable power plant built by the company in Azerbaijan, with plans for further projects. He also acknowledged the role of PowerChina as the general contractor and emphasized the importance of Azerbaijani energy professionals in integrating renewable energy into the national system.
The President’s speech underscored the successful international cooperation and investment climate in Azerbaijan, inviting foreign investors to participate in future renewable energy projects. He highlighted the substantial increase in the country’s generation capacity, which now stands at approximately 10,000 megawatts, and outlined plans for further development, including the establishment of a Battery Energy Storage System.
Nasser Al-Qahtani, Assistant Minister of Energy for Electricity Affairs of Saudi Arabia, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan in the energy sector. He highlighted ongoing and future projects, including a 200-megawatt wind expansion project and assessments of offshore wind potential in the Caspian Sea.
Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Azerbaijan, Lu Mei, expressed congratulations on the inauguration and noted the successful cooperation between China, Azerbaijan, and Saudi Arabia in the renewable energy sector. He highlighted the project’s benefits, including supporting over 300,000 households and reducing carbon emissions by 400,000 tons.
The inauguration of the Khizi-Absheron Wind Power Plant marks a significant step in Azerbaijan’s renewable energy development, reinforcing the country’s position as a reliable and major electricity generation hub in the region.