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, emphasizing the significance of the plant in enhancing the country's energy capacity and contributing to its overall development.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, this plant marks the beginning of ACWA Power's renewable energy projects in Azerbaijan, with plans for further expansion. PowerChina, involved as the general contractor, will also participate in future projects. The plant's construction required extensive work over four years, with substantial foreign investment of approximately USD 340 million. The plant's annual electricity generation is expected to reach around 1 billion kilowatt-hours, saving 220 million cubic meters of natural gas and reducing carbon emissions by over 400,000 tons annually.

The project has been hailed as a successful example of international cooperation, with foreign investors increasingly participating in Azerbaijan's renewable energy development. The event also underscored the country's strategy to modernize and upgrade its energy system, with a focus on both traditional and renewable generation capacities. The ceremony highlighted Azerbaijan's commitment to becoming a major electricity generation hub in the region, inviting foreign investors to engage in the sector and other energy-intensive industries.