Azerbaijan - Premiere for Energy Competence Centre GmbH

It is known that for ages Azerbaijan is one of the world’s most important natural gas and oil suppliers. It is new that Azerbaijan enters the market of another appealing energy source. Azerbaijan enters the wind energy market. Along the shores of the Caspian Sea the natural power blows with an annual average wind speed of more than 7,5 m/s at 50 m above zero.

Based on the cooperation of the German company Energy Competence Centre GmbH (ECC) from Berlin and the Azerbaijan company Caspian Technology Company, the operation of the first wind energy turbine started in March 2009. In Yeni Yashma, Khizi Region, the pilot project consisting of two VESTAS V52 with each 850 kW power was connected to the grid.

Two 60m high wind measuring masts, erected by ECC, are daily providing exact wind data. In addition, ECC takes over the technical operation management and will also be part of the next planning phase. The whole project financing is managed by ECC as well. The financing of a project is one of the biggest challenges of project realization and, at the same time, is one of the key competencies of ECC.

Managing Director Michael Klein says about the project work: “Our performance in Azerbaijan broadens our international relations in Eastern Europe. A third wind turbine is currently taken into operation in the Khizi Region. It will be used as education centre for Azerbaijan employees, in order to ensure that maintenance works on wind measuring masts, reparations, and operation of wind turbines can be done on site.”

After successful pre-contract negotiations the first measures for the realization of an even larger wind farm have been taken. A wind farm of 105 MW power is being developed along the highway from Baku to Guba. The flat coastal area with little vegetation is an ideal location. Several overhead pipelines of the regional power supply company run along the traffic roads.

For more information please contact Trevor Sievert at ts@windfair.net