AZERBAIJAN SHOULD BE READY FOR POST-OIL DEVELOPMENT PERIOD

    BAKU/14.09.10/TURAN: People should be aware of alternative energy sources from their very school age. Then the society will be able to resist the government"s unpopular measures vigorously. Alternative energy projects were in the focus of the Baku Caspian Plaza press conference on this day.
     The Enterprise & Market Economy Development Support Foundation"s President, Sabit Baghirov, said the Azerbaijani government is very proud of the current oil boom and not very interested in the European integration. Therefore the government could hardly predict the post-oil-boom situation in Azerbaijan scientifically. The global oil resources totaled 1,363 billion barrels as of January 1, 2010. This included only 7 billion barrels in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan also has 2 trillion m3 of proved natural gas resources.
     The expert said the electricity consumption would grow by 50% by 2035. Most of the fuel used in this production will represent coal, furnace oil and natural gas. The International Energy Agency has predicted that the oil production will increase from 86 million to 111 million BPD by that time. He said that however the `oil paradise` is not forever; therefore creation of a plant to treat domestic wastes and a small electric power station is only a tiny step towards meeting Azerbaijan"s energy demands.
     Experts believe Azerbaijan has enough alternative energy resources. E.g. the rivers provide 40 billion kilowatts/hour conditionally. As Azerbaijan is a country of winds, it can presumably produce 800 megawatts of electricity. Combustible industrial and domestic wastes and solar energy could be used efficiently too.
     The experts believe the measures should not be just limited to creation of an alternative energy agency. A national program should be elaborated, including the appropriate laws, activities, international experience, staff training, privatization of electric power stations, etc. --17D--