On June 24, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a meeting to discuss issues dealing with natural gas, heat and electricity supply in the coming winter season, as well as the situation in power industry.

“It is necessary to do all possible to avoid lack of electricity and gas in the winter months: to ensure pumping sufficient amount of gas tom gas storages and effective work of power stations, and be more serious in restoration of heating system,” the President said in his opening remark.

The Head of State said Azerbaijan imports part of gas from abroad. “We intend to continue to do that. At the same time, after commissioning of the Shah Deniz gas field, a substantial increase in gas production is expected in Azerbaijan. All these issues are interconnected, and based on the issues of Azerbaijan’s energy security,” he said.

The President noted Azerbaijan solves its energy security problems independently. “This is why we build new power stations in Sumgait, and planning to mount more,” he said.

“We have resumed gas supply to Nakhchivan. It’s important question from both economic and social viewpoints. Resuming the supply of natural gas to Nakhchivan 13 years later is a great achievement. For the time being, a new 90 MW capacity power station is being built there,” the President said speaking of the energy security of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

He noted he gave instructions to the company Azerigas to lay pipelines to the regions which have never, even in Soviet times, been supplied with natural gas because of technical difficulties.

“Now, Azerbaijan is turning into a country producing large amount of oil. Production of natural gas is also increasing in Azerbaijan. As far as I am concerned, approximately 500 million - 1 billion extra cubic meters of gas is planning to be produced next year. We are about to discuss all these issues, and I am sure the decisions to be made will better the situation in energy sector,” the President said.