Aghdara: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the ‘Gozlukorpu’ Hydroelectric Power Plant, located in the village of Gozlukorpu in the Aghdara district, on January 13. Chairman of the Board of ‘Azerenerji’ OJSC, Baba Rzayev, provided the head of state with details on the station and the hydropower status in Garabagh and East Zangezur.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the liberated territories host 38 hydropower plants with a total capacity of 307 MW, producing 750 million kilowatt-hours of green energy in 2025. This production led to savings of 160 million cubic meters of natural gas and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 280,000 tons. The Tartarchay river, fully within Azerbaijan’s borders, holds the potential for 30 hydropower stations. Presently, ‘Azerenerji’ OJSC operates 22 stations, with five more under construction and three planned.
In line with President Aliyev’s directive to make Garabagh and East Zangezur a ‘green energy’ zone, the ‘Gozlukorpu’ plant was established on the Tartarchay, the region’s largest waterway, with a capacity of 14.7 MW. Despite logistical challenges, the project was completed swiftly. The plant features a modern headwater intake at 955 meters above sea level, with a 13-kilometer pipeline through mountainous areas. Advanced equipment, capable of varying productivity with water levels, was installed for the first time in Azerbaijan.
To integrate the plant into the national energy system, an open switchgear and an optical cable line were constructed. The facility is expected to generate 43 million kilowatt-hours annually, saving 9.5 million cubic meters of natural gas and reducing carbon emissions by 18,000 tons.
Environmental protection was prioritized in the project. Hydraulic structures prevent river fish from entering the pipeline, and safeguards ensure no harmful substances mix with the water, maintaining its quality when returned to the river. The use of eco-friendly technology supports the river ecosystem and aids in water resource formation.