Nakhchivan: Azerbaijan’s Heydar Aliyev Reservoir hydroelectric plant is set to enhance its energy production, marking a significant step in the nation’s renewable energy strategy. The plant, operational since 2006, was conceptualized to secure electricity supply through sustainable means, according to Tarkhan Gafarov, Director of the hydroelectric facility.

According to Trend News Agency, the hydroelectric plant was constructed following an agreement signed on December 19, 2004, between the Cabinet of Ministers of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and the “Joint Initiative of Cengiz Insaat AS and Aksoy” of the Republic of Turkey. The reservoir has a capacity of 100 million cubic meters. The plant’s infrastructure includes two 2-megawatt hydro turbines and one 0.5-megawatt hydro turbine. Commissioning work concluded in July 2006, linking the plant to the regional energy grid. The plant’s power transformers, integral to connecting energy to the 35 kV “Shahbuz” transmission line, were manufactured in Turkey, w
ith turbines and generators sourced from France.

The entire project, including installation and commissioning, was financed by the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic’s State Energy Service using proceeds from electricity sales. Currently, the plant generates 7 million kWh of energy annually, with plans to elevate production to 12 million kWh, Gafarov noted.