Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Azerbaijan's power generation has expanded 40 percent in the past decade to more than 6,000 megawatts, Industry and Energy Minister Natig Aliyev said in an interview with state-run Respublika newspaper.

Per capita electricity generation has grown to 2,220 kilowatts per hour, reaching the level of production in developed economies of Europe, Aliyev said.

Twelve new power stations with a total capacity of almost 1,500 megawattswere built between 2003 and 2012, the minister said. Construction of three more power stations will be completed by next year, he said.

The increased power generation has turned Azerbaijan into an exporter of electricity from an importer, Aliyev said.

Now Azerbaijan exports 4 billion kilowatts of electricity, the minister told Respublika.

State-owned OAO Azerenerji is in charge of power generation and distribution in the country. It operates more than 200 power sub-stations, eight hydro-electric power stations and 13 thermal power stations.