Honorary Professor of Oxford University: Karabakh has great potential for use of renewable energy sources

The use of renewable energy sources in the world is expanding rapidly. In Germany, Denmark, Latvia, and Spain, people already use renewable energy devices to meet their electricity needs. What is the situation in this area in Azerbaijan?

Report presents an interview of President of the International Eco-Energy Academy, Honorary Professor of Oxford University Fagan Aliyev:

- Professor, first of all, let's look at the history of renewable energy development in Azerbaijan.

During the Soviet era, a plant manufacturing solar collector was built in Azerbaijan. Then I started to make solar collectors in Bilgah, albeit in a primitive form. I created the Solar Scientific Production Association. After that, we established the International Eco-Energy Academy. I received many grants and assignments. For example, with colleagues at the academy and foreign scholars, I have elaborated the renewable energy and energy efficiency legislation in the European Union. We have involved scientists from France, England, Germany, Denmark, and Austria and developed a legislative framework. The President also attached great importance to this work, and the State Agency on Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources was established.

I built 300 solar panels on the Heydar Aliyev Sports and Concert Complex with the technology of Austria, the United States, and France and provided hot water to the athletes' bathrooms.

After Azerbaijan left the USSR, there was a massive influx of renewable energy. People began to engage in this field. One brought four wind turbines with 4 megawatts of wind energy from Germany. However, as we do not have a law in this area, he could not sell it to the state.

- Today, countries around the world are rapidly turning to the use of renewable energy sources.

Yes. Because there is no other way. Most of the diseases and problems in the world are because of attitude to energy. For 150 years, wars around the world have been due to power. The backbone of the whole economy is energy. The developed countries are directed to strong wind parks established in Germany. After the pandemic, air purification was formed above China, and the ozone layer thickened. Waste has increased in the world. Polymer materials are released everywhere. It is also based on chlorine. More than 18 billion tons of chlorine are produced in the world. Chlorine destroys the ozone layer and atmosphere and harms humans. It needs to be reduced. Waste is a problem in the world. In Japan, electric cars and trams run over the city. 31% of the world's waste is in the United States. More than 16% of waste is generated in China. Russia's nuclear power plants are poisoning the planet. Nuclear power plants need to be abolished.

- Why is there a slowdown in the development of this field in Azerbaijan compared to European countries?

We have people who seem to be hindering this work. I love our President and our state. Mr. President gives essential instructions in the field of renewable energy. But the Ministry of Energy has almost no power engineering specialist. What work has the agency created under the ministry been able to do during these years? They only hinder development. A small amount of work was done, and their quality was low. It is necessary to work with people who have normal skills in this area. We must form a strong workforce in society. If we do not carry out personnel reform in this area, foreign investors will not invest in this area in Azerbaijan.

- In what form can we use world experience to expand this field in Azerbaijan?

It is necessary to stimulate people to engage in this field. The state can give capital to a citizen to build their business in the area of renewable energy and then return the debt to the state as the work progresses. In Germany, if someone produces renewable energy, the cost of its connection lines is borne by the state. The state exempts the recipient of this energy from taxes. We also need to create incentives in people in such ways.

- There are companies selling renewable energy devices and their designs in the country.

The biggest misfortune is that today in the United States, these constructions are sold with a coefficient of performance of 93%. In our sales, the coefficient of performance is 17%. In this case, it is not helpful for anyone to buy these devices at a high price.

- A concept on "green energy" in the liberated territories is being developed together with an international consultant. How do you assess the potential of Karabakh in terms of the use of renewable energy sources, and what suggestions do you have for the use of this potential?

There are all the possibilities, such as sun, wind, biomass, biogas, small rivers in Karabakh. I also have scientific works on Karabakh and made official appeals to the state. Six years ago, I developed a project for sustainable development after the liberation of Karabakh from occupation and submitted it to the state. With the help of my graduate students and researchers, I created diagrams of the use of solar energy in Karabakh. I have a project on how to use the sun in Aghdam, Shusha, Lachin, and Kalbajar, how to use small rivers, and build hydropower plants.