In an exclusive interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM) at the plant’s headquarters close to the capital, Baku, Yusifov said that the plant has the second highest capacity after the northern power plant, as it covers all areas of the country.
He also talked about the plans to expand the plant’s current capacity of 760 MW, by establishing the Garadagh Solar Power Plant to produce more electricity.
He then highlighted the various challenges faced by the Janub Thermal Power Plant upon its inception, which included finding qualified national cadres to meet all its operational and oversight needs. These challenges have been solved, as national cadres account for 99 percent of the plant’s employees.
Yusifov stressed that the bilateral ties between the UAE and Azerbaijan are witnessing significant development in all sectors, most notably in energy. He added that current economic crises and global energy challenges require countries to strengthen their cooperation in the energy sector, and Azerbaijan has ambitious cooperation plans with the UAE.
Speaking about climate change, he affirmed that his country is looking forward to benefitting from the UAE’s expertise in the energy sector and mitigating the effects of climate change.
Like many other countries, Azerbaijan is affected by the repercussions of climate change, including rising temperatures, as well as decreasing water levels in the Caspian Sea and various rivers, which are being used to produce electricity, he added.
He then highlighted the country’s plan to achieve an environmentally-friendly energy transition, by establishing power plants in collaboration with the UAE, including a new renewable energy plant in Sungai with a capacity of 150 MW, as well as more plants in other cities.
Emirati investments in Azerbaijan have played an importance role in meeting the growing demand for energy, Yusifov said, highlighting the need to investment more in environmentally-friendly electricity. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has contributed significantly to the establishment of the Janub Thermal Power Plant.
He then affirmed the importance of the UAE’s cooperation with Azerbaijan, most notably the fact that the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) is engaged in helping to establish the 240 MW Alat Solar Power Plant, which will meet nearly 8 percent of the country’s electricity needs.
Muhammad Aamir / Hazem Hussein
