30-09-03 Azerbaijan plans to import 1.5 bn kWh of electricity from Russia in 2004, the same as in 2003, Azerenergy President Etibar Pirverdiyev said. Azerenergy is 100 % state controlled.
Pirverdiyev reminded that this import volume is contained in an agreement between Azerenergy and Unified Energy Systems of Russia and noted that Russian electricity is supplied at 2.6 cents per kWh. He said that it is not possible to increase imports for technical reasons, as there is insufficient transportation capacity.

Electricity is currently supplied to Azerbaijan via the 330-kV Derbent-Yashma line. However, a project is being developed to build another Derbent-Yashma line, which will make it possible to increase imports by 300 mm-400 mm kWh. It is planned to implement this project in 2004.
The Azerenergy chief said that it is planned to build the second power line at the same time as introducing an automatic safety system, which will function as part of the energy system in Azerbaijan, Dagestan and the unified dispatch department of the Northern Caucasus. All of these steps will increase the stability and effectiveness of power supplies from Russia to Azerbaijan.

UES estimates electricity supplies to Azerbaijan at an average of 1.2 bn-1.4 bn kWh over the past years.
Electricity production in Azerbaijan will total at least 19.5 bn kWh next year and consumption will be slightly over 21 bn kWh.