Azerbaijan intends to boost renewable energy capacity 5-fold going forward - Energy Ministry

BAKU. June 22 (Interfax) - Azerbaijan plans to increase the capacity of renewable energy sources nearly 5-fold to more than 6 MW in the near future, Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said.

"Renewable energy capacity in Azerbaijan, including hydroelectric power plants, is currently 1,312 MW. There are plans in the coming years to commission new wind, solar and hydroelectric power plants with total capacity of 1,000 MW, and additionally implement new projects with total capacity of 4,000 MW," Shahbazov wrote on his microblog on Twitter.

Shahbazov believes that implementing these projects should allow for "solidifying the position of green energy in Azerbaijan's energy balance."

The country's energy system currently has capacity of about 7,800 MW. Azerbaijani authorities had previously announced their intention to increase the share of renewables to 40%.