President Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening ceremony of the 220/110/10 kV "Yeni Sangachal" substation, operated by AzerEnergy OJSC.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, Balababa Rzayev, Chairman of the Board of AzerEnergy OJSC, briefed the head of state on the technical specifications and operational capabilities of the new facility.
The project is a significant component of Azerbaijan's "Green Energy" strategy. It is designed to integrate the 240 MW "Shafaq" Solar Power Plant in the Jabrayil district into the national energy grid and provide electricity to the Sangachal terminal. This initiative is being implemented within the framework of a cooperation agreement between AzerEnergy OJSC and bp.
The first phase of this energy infrastructure project was marked by the opening of a 330 kV substation in the Jabrayil district this past May, which was also attended by President Ilham Aliyev. The "Yeni Sangachal" substation represents the next stage, enabling the Sangachal terminal to transition to renewable energy sources. This shift will allow for the decommissioning of the terminal's existing gas-fired power plant. In the future, solar energy generated in the Jabrayil district will be transmitted to the Sangachal terminal via the national energy grid.
The implementation of this project is expected to meet the terminal's annual electricity demand of approximately 500 million kWh through renewable sources. This transition will save 120–150 million cubic meters of natural gas annually and reduce carbon emissions by 260,000 to 330,000 tons.
Spanning 6.5 hectares, the "Yeni Sangachal" substation is connected to the national energy grid via four new 220 kV transmission lines totaling 111 kilometers. The facility receives power from three independent sources: the 785 MW "Janub" power plant, the 385 MW "Gobu" power plant, and the 500 kV "Absheron" substation. Additionally, five 110 kV overhead-cable lines, totaling 25 kilometers, have been constructed to connect the substation to the Sangachal terminal, with two more lines planned for the next phase.
The substation will also supply electricity to bp's Sangachal terminal (80 MW) and the Shah Deniz Compressor Station (85 MW). Consequently, both strategic facilities will have their annual energy demand of over 1 billion kWh met through the national grid.
The substation is equipped with advanced digital control panels and integrated into the SCADA system, featuring a modern control center. These technological upgrades ensure high reliability and operational stability for the facility.
Azerbaijan has been actively prioritizing the development of renewable energy infrastructure as part of its broader strategy to diversify its energy mix and meet international climate commitments. The integration of solar power from the liberated territories, such as Jabrayil, into the national grid underscores the country's commitment to sustainable development and energy efficiency.
