OREANDA-NEWS. April 25, 2012. Baku is hosting international conference " Azerbaijan 2020: renewable energy and stable development ".

At the conference Industry and Energy Minister  Natig Aliyev said that it is planned to increase production of renewable energy by 2020.

"We planned to bring the share of renewable energy in energy balance of Azerbaijan up to 10%, but Head of the State put forward the initiative to reach 20% level in accord with the plan set to the EU countries. Azerbaijan has all necessary opportunities to  achieve this aim ",- the Minister noted.

According to N. Aliyev, current analysis of oil and gas resources shows that they will be enough for several generations but along with this Head of the State raised the issue on development of alternative and renewable energy sources.

"Wind, sun, small rivers energy, biothermal resources, biosystem installations , biogas and other opportunities can be widely used for achieving these aims. Today Head of the State has allocated AZN 1 million for development of State Program on Alternative and Renewable Energy Development in 6 months. At present 2 large projects are being prepared in Azerbaijan : Development Plan till 2020 and Program on Alternative Energy Development ",- the Minister said.

N. Aliyev also noted that EU provided grant for 13 million euro to Azerbaijan for bringing the country legislation in compliance with EU’s requirements on alternative energy.

Pilot projects are also planned to be realized in Azerbaijan.