Ilham Aliyev: Heat Cannot Be Cause of Blackout of Azerbaijan's Energy System

Baku / 04.07.18 / Turan: President Ilham Aliyev questioned the assertions of power engineers that the accidents at Mingachevir Thermal Power Plant (TPP), as a result of which the greater part of Azerbaijan was left without electricity twice during the day, were due to overloading of capacities due to the increase in energy consumption in hot weather.

The heat and growth of electricity consumption cannot be the cause of the blackout of the power system of Azerbaijan, Aliyev said at a meeting on July 4. Aliyev cited examples of countries where the air temperature is even higher and where such accidents do not occur. "But even if it happens, the country's power system is not paralyzed," he added.

Aliyev sharply criticized the head of Azerenerji OJSC Etibar Pirverdiyev, who tried to justify the accident by increasing electricity consumption in the country by 40% - up to 70-75 million kilowatt / hour.

Aliyev noted that over the past 15 years considerable investments have been made in the energy sector of Azerbaijan, including the construction of power plants. Therefore, the President added, blackout of the energy system as a result of the accident at one power plant raises serious questions.

"You should be ashamed of the people for the inconveniences brought in. The accident caused damage not only to citizens but also to the economy." SOCAR suffered seriously," Aliyev said, referring to Pirverdiyev.

The President stressed that the created State Commission should investigate the causes of both the first and second accidents.

July 3, first at night, and then in the evening there were accidents at the TPP in Mingachevir. As a result, the power supply of 39 cities and regions of Azerbaijan was discontinued. In the evening of July 3, the movement of trains in the Baku Subway was stopped. -06D--