On September 25, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev got acquainted with 110/35/6-KW substation No. 204, put into operation in the Nizami district of Baku.

After familiarizing with the terms and conditions established at the substation , President Ilham Aliyev met with the staff .

On welcoming the staff, President Ilham Aliyev said:

"I congratulate you on the opening of the substation. In recent years I have repeatedly participated in the opening ceremonies of the new substations. Seeing these innovations, I certainly am so happy as you`re. Because today the electrical equipment of Baku is updated and is modernized.

Investments made in recent years in this industry manifest themselves in the construction of substations. You and I remember it well that at one time Bakielektrikshebeke was transferred to the control of a foreign company. As a result, the available facilities were almost completely destroyed. Baku faced long hours of power outages, power supply was at a very low level, which of course led to a just resentment of the population.

A few years ago, in accordance with my instructions Baku Electric has been returned to the state. The state assumed the control and this marked a new period of development. Members of the network have demonstrated professionalism, while at the same time each year the state budget provides investment in network development. As a result of development of these two areas, the electrical equipment in Baku today is at the highest level. The most effective technological conditions have been created here. It is encouraging that most of the equipment is installed here in Azerbaijan. That is the state investment also gave impetus to the development of the private sector. Thus, the business environment takes advantage of these opportunities. As you know, in the coming years, all the goods consumed in Azerbaijan should be produced in this country - food, construction materials, and advanced equipment .

The work carried out in this direction, of course, makes all of us very happy. Over the past ten years Azerbaijan has created around 2800 megawatts of new generating capacity, 14 power plants have been built. We can say that 50 percent of our available energy potential has been created in the last ten years.

In that case, of course, the development of networks both in Baku and in the regions is of particular importance. Now we have enough energy capacity. None of our power station work in the old way. Fuel consumption is also very low. Thus, we have settled the main problems of this grid in Baku. Now I am told that there is a need to repair another 12 substations, including in the regions.

I often visit the regions. We have places where grids are not in the best condition. Today Azerenerji was instructed to bring the regional grid to a normal level, so there were no interruptions. In fact, there should be no interruptions, as we have enough energy capacity . Interruptions occur due to the fact that some of the grids, the lines are out of whack. The wooden supports remain in place and old. They will be gradually removed and high-voltage lines will be moved underground in Baku, as it was shown to me here .

Therefore, we are optimistic about the future. I am confident that in the coming years the power economy in the possession of Baku power grid will be at the highest level, at this level.

Considering that our country is developing and Baku, we of course have to stay ahead of demand. The Olympic Stadium, gym center, office of the Oil Company, office of the State Oil Fund and other office buildings and industrial facilities under construction here require that our energy capacity must consistently exceed the requirements. We will follow that way. I am sure that in the future there will be a need for construction of new substations. Since Azerbaijan develops so rapidly that the current capacities would not be enough in 5-10 years.

I am very pleased that the Baku Electric operational. At the same time, I should note that I received at the time the decision to return to the full network state gives its effect. You - members of the network know it, you can see the difference. You see, when a strategic site is in the hands of the state, there will be both the control and investment, and development.

Now we live in conditions of market economy. Private sector accounts for 85% of our economy. You could say, the bulk of our economy belongs to the private sector. But strategic assets must be at the disposal of the state. These facilities serve the people. Investments in these objects are of a commercial nature. In period when Barmek was functioning in our country, this grid was considered only as a source of revenue. They sought to steal more and more. But state investments in these grids are purely social in nature.

Therefore, strategic facilities must be under state control. I believe that Azerbaijan`s experience has justified itself in the post-Soviet space. Our all strategic assets are in the hands of the state. While maintaining these facilities, the state is developing them, providing services to people .

Once again, I congratulate you on this wonderful event".

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