Caspian Energy (CE): Mr. Rzayev, could you please tell about the plans of Bakielektrikshebeke OJSC regarding the upgrade of the grid?
Baba Rzayev, Chairman of the Board, Bakielektrikshebeke OJSC: The foundation of today’s many-sided development of the national economy of Azerbaijan was laid by Nationwide Leader Heydar Aliyev under the leadership of whom the Contract of the Century was signed. The 20-year anniversary of the Contract of the Century will be celebrated this year. It is impossible to imagine development of the national economy without modernization of the energy system, energy generation and distribution. Nowadays the energy grid of Azerbaijan is upgraded within the framework of the state programs approved in different years by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. It is developing according to the requirements of the international standards. Bakielektrikshebeke OJSC, which main objective is to provide consumers with stable and high quality electric power, specializes in the field of energy supply. It is the company with the extensive experience that has passed the long way of historical development. We support the high level of activity of the power distribution network in Baku city, staying strongly committed to providing uninterrupted supply of electricity and meeting the growing needs of the capital.
The decision of the General Assembly of the European Olympic Committee to hold the I European Games in June-July 2015 in Baku has become a big historical event for Azerbaijan. For a worthy organisation of the Games, Bakielektrikshebeke OJSC has the objective to ensure stable and high-quality electricity supply for the sports and hotel complexes, parks and public catering facilities to be visited by the representative delegations.
An emergency response team as well as task groups on places will be created to strengthen coordination between the services of Bakielektrikshebeke OJSC.
Bakielektrikshebeke OJSC will carry out a timely technical check-up of all power supply facilities to check the technical condition of the energy supply facilities.
The substation # 204 is one of the facilities to be involved to ensure high quality electricity for the I European Games.
In total, 3 substations with the voltage 110/35/10 kV (one with the capacity of 2х50 MVA and the other with the capacity of 2х40 MVA) and 6 substations with the voltage of 35/6 kV and the capacity of 2х25 MVA each shall be constructed in 2014 to ensure electricity supply for the activities of the I European Games.
Along with it, within the framework of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev dated March 3, 2014 “On additional measures for business development”, Bakielektrikshebeke OJSC has prepared proposals to introduce changes in the legislation in order to organize electronic submission of documents in the sphere of connection to the grid, and reduce procedures, terms and expenses for the purpose of improving the state regulation of business activity and formation of a favorable business environment in the country.
CE: How successfully is Bakielektrikshebeke implementing state programmes?
Baba Rzayev: The energy industry development strategy that sets the main directions of the 10-year period of development of the power supply system of the country was determined by the State Program for Development of Fuel and Energy Complex of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2005-2015. State programs on social and economic development of regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan and other state programs on the development of the national economy approved by the Head of State have played a stimulating role in the successful implementation of activities on modernization of the energy grid. The implementation of the requirement of these documents was an instrument to foster development of the social and economic infrastructure of Baku and its settlements. They improved the operation of services in the municipal sphere and public road system.
In connection with the implementation of the specified state programs Bakielektrikshebeke OJSC is engaged in large-scale repair works to provide the capital as well as its settlements with high quality and non-stop electricity supply, to render high-quality services to consumers and to upgrade the electric grid according to the requirements of the international standards.
CE: What work is carried out for enhancing the quality of electricity supply?
Baba Rzayev: A ring feed network was created in the capital owing to undertaken measures. The deployment of this system has enhanced security of power supply. In this regard, the investment program attaches priority attention to construction of 110 kV substations which are a part of this system. Along with it , this scheme will guarantee full satisfaction of electricity needs of the capital in future.
On September 25 President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev took part in the opening ceremony of the 110/35/6-kV substation #204 in Nizami district of Baku. Overall reconstruction of this substation is carried out within the framework of consecutive steps taken in this sphere. This substation was built in 1980 for supplying electricity to Heydar Aliyev Oil Refinery and other industrial facilities. The service life of the substation equipment expired over the past period. The station no longer met modern requirements. Rapid social-economic development of the republic including the city of Baku, construction of Gymnastic complex, Olympic stadium, Olympic city, different road infrastructure, commissioning of new facilities at Heydar Aliyev Avenue recently increased the need for stable and uninterrupted power supply. For this purpose, a modern closed-type 110/35/6-kV substation #204 was built and commissioned instead of old 110/6kV substation. Three new 35/6kV substations Keroghlu, #208 and #217 fed by a 110/35/6-kV substation 204 were also constructed for power supply to abovementioned facilities and numerous residential buildings. These are closed-type substations with gas insulated switchgear and vacuum equipment. It is noteworthy that all these substations have been connected to the SCADA system.
If the old substation together with an open-type power distribution unit and auxiliary facilities used to occupy over a 5,000m2 area before, now after an overall reconstruction the new closed-type substation occupies over 1,800m2. Total area of the substation is almost 3,200m2. It consists of three floors including the basement.
Different voltage cables have been laid in the basement of the substation. Central control room, 35kV and 6kV closed type distribution gears, reactors, transformers, work rooms for employees, a kitchen and other service rooms are located on the first floor. A 110kV electrical equipment has been installed on the second floor. The substation has been equipped with ventilation and fire-prevention systems.
It is not the only substation built by Bakielektrikshebeke OJSC. Just a little earlier, on January 31, 2013 President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the 110/35/6kV substation in Narimanov district of the capital. Besides, by means of the video conference he also took part in the opening ceremonies of 35kV substations #117 in Nasimi district, Hovsan in Surakhany district, #207 in Binagadi district, #102 and 118 in Bibiheybat settlement of Sabayil district, administrative buildings of departments of Khazar, Surakhany, Sabunchu, Garadagh, Yasamal districts and office of the Department for Control.
In general, since the restart of operation of Bakielektrikshebeke OJSC in 2006 up to now the growth of capacity has reached 90%. The commissioned substations have the brand-new equipment, from the technical viewpoint, and a control system.
In a short period of time the joint-stock company which activity was restarted according to the Order of the President of the country August 10, 2006 constructed 23 substations with the capacity of 110 kV and 61 substations with the capacity of 35 kV, constructed and overhauled 2,000 transformer buildings (TB) and complete transformer buildings (CTB), laid electricity transmission lines with the length of over 16,000 km. In particular, the company laid 1748.4 km of cables with the voltage of 110 and 35 kV, handed over 3210.1 km of electricity transmission lines with the voltage of 10 kV and 4020.7 km of lines with the voltage of 0.4 kV, and also repaired 11153.4 km of overhead lines by means of brand-new self-supporting insulated wires. Repair and restoration work is now in process at the 110 kV and 35 kV substations. As a result of the performed activities the installed capacity of the network increased from 3,048 to 5,816.4 MVA and grew by 90% in comparison with 2006. Technical losses of the network were reduced down to 8% and cases of overloads were eliminated.
CE: To what extent did you manage to gain success in automation of network control?
Baba Rzayev: The SCADA system is being introduced in order to automate the control over our network. 26 substations have already been connected to the SCADA system. Cables are laid and equipment is installed for connecting the following 10 substations. All 110kV and 35kV substations will very soon become a component part of the SCADA system and controlled remotely.
In conclusion, I would like to note that we managed to reach a qualitatively new level of development of the energy system in the capital of Azerbaijan. All mentioned operations were performed owing to constant care and concern of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and guarantee an uninterruptable supply of electricity to consumers in future.
