Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Energy-rich Azerbaijan plans to increase the share of alternative and renewable energy sources in the country's energy balance up to 20 percent by 2020.

Akim Badalov, Chairman of the State Agency for Alternative and Renewable Energy (ABOEMDA) said this at the 7th international forum on energy for sustainable development international conference on renewable energy in Baku on October 18.

Currently the share of renewable energy in the total energy balance is 16 percent, according to Badalov.

“By 2020, we plan to increase this figure up to 20 percent. In addition, Azerbaijan intends to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 35 percent by 2030,” he said.

He added that last year, thanks to the use of alternative and renewable energy sources, the country generated about two billion kilowatt / hours of energy.

Potential of renewable energy sources in the country exceeds 25,400 megawatt. The potential of solar energy in the country is more than 8,000 megawatts, while the capacity of wind power and geothermal energy are 15,000 and 800 megawatts, respectively.

The potential of bio-energy (a type of renewable energy made available from materials derived from biological sources) is estimated at 900 megawatts, while capacity of small hydroelectric power plants is 700 megawatts.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Energy Minister of Kazakhstan Magzum Mirzagaliev stressed the significance of the development of the sustainable and green energy for his country.

UN Resident Coordinator Ghulam Isaczai said different countries gave efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals.

The Forum that kicked off in Baku on October 18 has brought together international energy experts, more than 400 government officials, and representatives from the business community, financial sector, academia and civil society to share prospects on how the SDGs can be implemented. It will also include an International Renewable Energy Conference and the annual sessions of the UNECE Group of Experts on Renewable Energy and Group of Experts on Energy Efficiency for the first time.

Among the planned parallel workshops are the Seminar on Policy Reforms for Renewable Energy Investments, the Workshop on Pathways to Sustainable Energy, the SPECA Thematic Working Group on Energy, Water and Environment, and the Workshop on the Role of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in Renewable Energy Planning.

The event is jointly organized by the government of Azerbaijan, the United Nations Regional Commissions, the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Office in Azerbaijan, the Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency, and the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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