By Rufat Abbasov

A project has been launched to promote the development of sustainable energy in Azerbaijan.

The $1.44m program has the financial support of the EU and the Norwegian government, with the EU providing $650,000 and Norway $790,000. 

The project, which will run until June 2013, is being carried out by the State Agency for Alternative and Renewable Energy and the UN Development Program.

It will conduct research into the feasibility of small pilot hydroelectric power stations, assess the potential of alternative energy sources in hard-to-reach, mountain settlements, identify the most cost-effective sources of alternative energy and best locations for the use of sustainable energy, project chief Rasul Afandiyev told Wednesday's launch.

The project will also review legislative amendments required for the sustainable development of the energy sector and provide training for staff at the State Agency for Alternative and Renewable Energy.

The agency's head, Akif Badalov, said that construction had already started of an alternative energy park at Gobustan, southwest of Baku. The park will have wind turbines and solar batteries.

“There is a plan for a closed circuit to supply power generated at the energy park to Gobustan. Thus, we will be able to meet the city’s demand for electricity in full from alternative energy sources," Badalov said at the project launch.

Twenty-seven stations will be set up across the country to monitor wind, sunshine and rivers, Badalov said. The information provided by these stations will allow the best locations to be chosen for hydropower, wind and solar plants.

“Three such stations have already been equipped. All the information will flow directly to a centralized station,” Badalov said.