The Caspian Sea, especially its northern part, has an incredibly large wind potential. International structures predict it in the amount of 157 GW. For comparison, this is 20 times more than the energy potential available in Azerbaijan, Deputy Energy Minister Elnur Soltanov told journalists, Report informs.
“In terms of favorableness, the wind in the Caspian Sea ranks second in the world. The first place belongs to the North Sea. This sea, considered by us as a source of oil and gas, makes an incredible contribution to the economy of Azerbaijan and can make a new contribution to ‘green energy’.”
“Azerbaijan has no direct access to the oceans. The length of the blades required for the turbines to be installed in the Caspian Sea is 90 meters. They must be transported only by sea, which is possible only through the Volga-Don Canal, or they need to be produced in Azerbaijan. Offshore wind energy is relatively more expensive than land wind energy. Investors want to cover additional costs. Of course, raising tariffs can never be a way out of the situation. Here the issue of state subsidies comes to the fore, and we don’t consider it as an option,” he noted.
“It seems to me that in the long term the potential of wind energy will be realized. However, we are now considering the implementation of projects, even at a pilot level, in order to be ready when the time comes and prices become more profitable,” Soltanov added.