On September 2, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Kalbajar district.

During their visit, they attended the opening of the “Yukhari Vang” Hydroelectric Power Plant. This plant, with a capacity of 22.5 MW, is owned by “Azerenerji” OJSC and is located on the Tartar River in the Kalbajar district.

Baba Rzayev, President of “Azerenerji” OJSC, briefed President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva on the completed work.

As part of President Ilham Aliyev's strategy to transform the liberated territories into a green energy zone, the “Yukhari Vang” Hydroelectric Power Plant is the largest green energy source established in the region following the victory in the Patriotic War. The plant’s green energy output is expected to meet the electricity needs of the Kalbajar district for the next five years.

The “Kalbajar” hydroelectric power plant chain, with a total capacity of 40 megawatts, is the second largest in the liberated territories, after the 42-megawatt “Zangilan” hydroelectric power plant chain.

Water for the “Yukhari Vang” Hydroelectric Power Plant is sourced from two locations: the discharge of the “Nadirkhanli” Hydroelectric Power Plant and the main water intake facility constructed on the Tutgu River.

The project was developed by the Energy Institute of “Azerenerji” OJSC, with contributions from local specialists, as well as experts from Austrian and Italian companies.

President Ilham Aliyev officially launched the “Yukhari Vang” Hydroelectric Power Plant.

The plant is expected to generate up to 66 million kilowatt-hours of green energy annually, saving 15 million cubic meters of natural gas and reducing carbon emissions by more than 27,000 tons.

It will also contribute to local employment, providing jobs for residents of the Kalbajar district.

The President and the First Lady were briefed on “Azerenerji” OJSC’s decarbonization measures in the context of the “Green World Solidarity Year” and preparations for COP29. They also received reports on efficiency achievements in traditional energy generation from 2003 to 2023, as well as updates on joint projects with “Ansaldo Energia” and “General Electric” at COP29. Additionally, they were informed about the “Khudafarin” and “Giz Galasi” hydroelectric projects developed in partnership with the Islamic Republic of Iran and the status of the North-South Corridor project.