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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Baku, January 24 /Xinhua/ — "Two years ago, there were only bare hills here, and the wind blew dust in all directions," recalls 47-year-old engineer Sarvan Gahramanov from the Chinese company PowerChina Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited (HDEC). Standing at a substation at a new wind farm in eastern Azerbaijan, he gazes at the ridgeline where snow-white wind turbines now stand majestically.
S. Gahramanov is one of the local engineers who participated in the entire construction of the 240 MW Khizi-Absheron wind farm. At the official opening ceremony of the plant in January 2026, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev noted that it will strengthen the country's energy potential and contribute to its overall development.
PULSE OF WIND ON MOUNTAIN RIDS
Approximately 37 hectares of land were allocated for the station's construction: 14.2 hectares in the Absheron district and 22.6 hectares in the Khizi district. This land accommodates 37 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 6.5 MW. These hills northwest of Baku seem naturally suited for wind power: the average annual wind speed here exceeds 9 m/s.
"I feel pride and satisfaction in the work I've accomplished. Seeing a project evolve step by step from drawings and calculations into a real, functioning facility is a powerful motivator and a source of inner satisfaction," says S. Gakhramanov. "Every stage of the work directly impacts the safety, reliability, and longevity of the facility. Knowing that your decisions and actions have a long-term impact keeps you on your professional toes."
According to HDEC, construction of the plant began in March 2024, and it is expected to be operational by the end of December 2025. The project, which is the largest wind energy facility in Azerbaijan, will generate approximately 1 billion kWh of electricity annually, providing electricity to over 300,000 households.
"I'm proud to be part of this project. For me, this is the pinnacle of my professional career," notes electrical engineer Adil Gasanov, who worked on the site for almost a year. "China has cutting-edge technologies and powerful engineering potential in green energy. Collaborating with them is a huge benefit both for our country as a whole and for us, local engineers."
A TRANSCONTINENTAL LOGISTICS FEAT
Each turbine is equipped with a 100-meter-tall tower and 84-meter-long blades. To deliver these gigantic structures on time, the project team developed a combined logistics plan, combining land and sea routes.
"This was a true test of endurance for our team. We had to contend with roads washed out by floodwaters, mountain passes covered in snow, and desert winds that threatened the stability of the transport platforms," says HDEC Project Manager Zhou Lu. "Nevertheless, we ensured the safe delivery of every component and successfully completed the task." The overland route passed through the Khorgos border crossing in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwest China, crossing Central Asia. The maritime route began in the port of Yangzhou in Jiangsu Province in eastern China: the cargo was delivered by sea to Turkey, and from there, it was transported overland through Georgia directly to the project site.
"I deeply respect my Chinese colleagues. They have become a true example of hard work and strict discipline for all our local engineers. We have learned a lot from them. Their experience and professionalism are truly admirable: thanks to them, we understand how to remain resilient and successfully overcome the most difficult challenges," says A. Gasanov.
ENERGY OF A COMMON FUTURE
According to HDEC Community Engagement Representative Vusal Safarov, over 200 jobs were created for local residents during construction. Furthermore, the mountain infrastructure built for transporting equipment significantly facilitated the delivery of food and essential goods to remote communities.
"The Chinese company also implemented a number of social projects. Specifically, it donated school backpacks to first-graders and provided essential items to residents of nearby villages. Local communities have repeatedly expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the company," says V. Safarov.
Azerbaijan has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The project, in which ACWA Power is an investor, will save approximately 220 million cubic meters of natural gas annually and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 400,000 tons.
ACWA Power Project Director Ibrahim Adar believes that Chinese companies demonstrated a high level of professionalism, technical capabilities, and execution efficiency at all stages, and their growing experience in implementing international renewable energy projects is clearly reflected in the high quality of construction at the Khizi-Absheron Wind Farm.
“ACWA Power views China as an important strategic partner in the global energy transition,” said I. Adar, adding that the company hopes to expand cooperation with Chinese companies in future renewable energy and green hydrogen projects. –0–
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