Baku News

01 June 2007 - APA-Economics - Baku hosted a workshop on cooperation between Azerbaijan and South Korea in electricity generation. Azerbaijan's Industry and Energy Minister Natig Aliyev said the country is carrying out comprehensive projects to increase electricity generation. "Last year we produced 23 billion kilowatts of electricity. The total capacity of our power plants to reach 10,000 megawatts of electricity in a few years. We think foreign companies will take an important part in these projects. The key issue is electricity delivery, in which we have a great amount of losses. We are working hard to implement projects on construction of high-tension lines and use of alternative energy sources," he noted. President of South Korean Electricity Association, Kim Chul, said he has led a delegation of representatives of 11 companies to Baku, adding that the workshop will contribute to expansion of cooperation between the two countries. President of Azerenergy, Etibar Pirverdiyev, added that five power plants with a combined output of 450 MWe each all based on multiple engined generating sets were constructed in regions during past two year. "Another 517 MWe power plant is under construction in Sumgait and the 1,000 MWe power station is being reconstructed in Ali Bayramli," he added. Pirverdiyev expressed sorry that South Korean companies have never taken part in bidding for energy projects in Azerbaijan, adding that the country is eager to involve foreign companies in harnessing alternative energy sources and constructing hydropower plants.