President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has reviewed the integrated security system put in place along the perimeter and around the Mingachevir water reservoir.

Minister of Emergency Situations, Col-Gen Kamaladdin Heydarov reported to the Commander-in-Chief and President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

It was indicated that the responsibilities of the State Water Resources Agency, established under the Ministry of Emergency Situations in accordance with the Decree of the President of Azerbaijan dated 25 February 2011, include reliable protection of water reservoirs of national importance, regular monitoring of the technical condition of facilities in the country, monitoring of ground and underground water resources, aquatic and hydro-technical plants, and water supply systems. As part of the measures, the security of the Mingachevir hydro power station is always in the spotlight as a strategic issue. Using modern equipment, a perfect protection system of the Mingachevir water reservoir from external intrusions has been developed. The reservoir’s supplies of water make up 16 billion cubic meters. This system ensures protection from external intrusion along the perimeter of the station, the water dam and three engineering installations of special importance. The station can be accessed from four checkpoints equipped with sophisticated security devices. All the posts and checkpoints are equipped with security systems based on the latest technologies. On the perimeter of the station there is a fence 4,350 meters in length and the main electronic safety fence 3,950 meters in length. Monitoring of the perimeter is carried out by means of 240 static cameras mounted on poles every 50 meters along the fence. Also installed on these poles are 55 speakers through which warning signals and alarms are communicated to the territory.

In addition, 20 fast-moving video cameras rotating to 360 degrees and 19 thermal cameras are installed at strategic locations. This enables careful examination of incidents and objects. Construction has been carried out on an area of 852 square meters, while an area of over 300 square meters has been reconstructed. The road stretching along the territory has been paved with 11,000 square meters of asphalt. Buildings are equipped with fire alarm and automatic gas extinguishing systems. The aim of all these measures is to create special regulations at the facility and provide for its security.

It was emphasized that entrances to the facility are protected by eight turnpikes and four anti-ramming obstacles. The number plate of the cars approaching a checkpoint and the image of the driver's face are entered into the database and identified, while the car is examined on an area between the turnpike and the anti-ramming obstacle. Produced abroad, the anti-ramming obstacle can withstand the impact of up to 50 tons in force. In order to identify the individuals accessing the facility on foot, checkpoints are equipped with special cameras. The person entering a checkpoint undergoes face inspection and identification. A special plastic card is applied to the turnstile and access is allowed. The peculiarity of the security system is that all four checkpoints are controlled from a single center.

President Ilham Aliyev reviewed the scheme and layout of the security system of the Mingachevir water reservoir.

While at the office of the shift supervisor, the head of state watched a film about the integrated security system installed around the perimeter and along the border area of the Mingachevir water reservoir.

It was indicated that it is possible to observe all the facilities, including the water reservoir proper, both on a monitor and from the window of the office of the shift supervisor.

Then, President Ilham Aliyev watched an operation against a conditional intruder to the territory.

It was indicated that fences are the most important element of the security system. They are made of a special material. The protected area of the station is enclosed by two rows of wire fences which stand 2 meters and in some places 15-20 meters apart from each other. The first fence is equipped with a barbed wire to rule out climbing or jumping over it. This fence is intended to prevent accidental access of people and animals to the protected area. The first fence does not have life threatening electrical currents and other elements. The second fence has highly sensitive detectors working on the basis of vibration. Information on any intervention or touches on the fence is fed directly into the center using these detectors. In addition, in the corridor between the first and second fences there are radio-wave motion detectors.

One of the most important elements of the security system is the 5-7-meter poles installed 50 meters apart from each other. The equipment installed on these poles enables observation in the dark and at a distance of one kilometer. Observation cameras rotate to 360 degrees, can operate in 50 degrees of heat and cold. This unit, which enlarges the image 43 times, as well as static cameras placed inside special cases, conduct round-the-clock surveillance. Light projectors mounted on poles along the perimeter allow continuous lighting of the territory along the protective fence.

While highly sensitive, such security systems cannot distinguish natural impacts from dangerous intrusions. The lack of identification mechanisms often leads to frequent "false alarms". To prevent this from happening, weather stations have been installed on poles at every 800 meters. Thanks to these weather stations the protective system cannot be "deceived". The station, also receiving all the information about the weather conditions, regularly sends it to the alarm panel.

The most important element in the entire security system is the mini-radar. This system allows observation under the most difficult weather conditions and ensures the safety of navigation in the search and rescue operations.

Loudspeakers are mounted on poles to prevent and manage evacuation.

President Ilham Aliyev was informed that the most important sections of the Mingachevir hydro power station, which must be protected from threats, are the engineering facilities called the water surface. Water at the hydro power station is supplied by means of these facilities equipped with surveillance devices. All the data accumulates in server rooms thanks to an integrated and centralized system, from where central control is exercised. If necessary, the data can be transferred to the Ministry of Emergency Situations by means of a fiber-optic cable.

President Ilham Aliyev also reviewed leisure facilities created at the central security station.

The President expressed his satisfaction with the work and gave instructions and recommendations.