by Xinhua writer Liu Shuchen
BAKU, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- "Two years ago, there was nothing here but barren hills and the wind blowing dust everywhere," recalls Sarvan Gahramanov, a 47-year-old civil engineer with PowerChina Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited (HDEC).
Standing at the booster substation of a new wind farm in eastern Azerbaijan, he looks up toward the ridgeline -- one now dotted with towering white wind turbines.
As one of the local engineers engaged in the site's transformation, Gahramanov has witnessed every stage of the 240-megawatt Khizi-Absheron Wind Power Plant's construction. The Chinese-built project's commissioning was described by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev as a milestone in the energy sector of Azerbaijan, a nation targeting a 30 percent share of renewable capacity by 2030.
PULSE ON WIND-SWEPT RIDGES
Under the project, which occupies nearly 37 hectares, a total of 37 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 6.5 megawatts, have been installed. On these ridges northwest of Baku, Azerbaijan's capital, the wind sweeps across the slopes at an annual average speed of over 9 meters per second.
"There is immense pride in the work we have accomplished. Watching blueprints and calculations evolve into a functioning reality is a source of deep satisfaction," said Gahramanov. "Every stage of construction directly impacts the plant's long-term reliability. This awareness keeps me in a state of constant professional alertness."
As the main contractor, the HDEC brought the project to full commissioning in late December 2025. The project, officially starting construction work following a groundbreaking in March 2024, is expected to generate 1 billion kilowatt-hours annually, sufficient to power over 300,000 households.
"I am honored and proud to be part of this project. It is the pinnacle of my work career," said electrical engineer Adil Hasanov, who has spent nearly a year on-site. "China has strong, advanced green energy technology and engineering, and cooperation with China in this sector is a major plus for our country and for our local engineers."
TRANS-EUROASIAN LOGISTICAL FEAT
The project's turbines each feature a 100-meter tower and blades stretching 84 meters in length. To ensure these giants arrived on schedule, the project team implemented an innovative dual land-and-sea route strategy.
"The journey tested the team's resilience at every turn. We faced roads washed away by floods, mountain passes blocked by heavy snow, and fierce desert gales that threatened the stability of the transport vehicles," said Zhou Lu, project manager at the HDEC. "However, we ensured every component arrived safely, successfully completing the mission."
Zhou explains that the land route crossed the Horgos port in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, traversing Central Asia to the Caspian Sea before arriving in Azerbaijan, while the sea route departed from Yangzhou port in east China's Jiangsu Province, reaching Turkey via ocean freight before being transported overland through Georgia to the site.
Such meticulous planning and execution left a deep impression on local partners. Hasanov said the Chinese team "set an example of hard work and rigorous discipline for our local engineers." He added that they learned how to tackle complex challenges through close cooperation and that the team's dedication motivated both sides to complete the project together.
POWERING SHARED FUTURE
Vusal Safarov, the project's Community Liaison Officer, said that the construction phase generated more than 200 job opportunities for local residents. Furthermore, the mountain roads built for hauling equipment have also made it much easier to deliver essential food supplies to the region.
"As part of its community support, PowerChina donated water supply pipes to a nearby village, school backpacks to students, and essential supplies to residents," said Safarov.
According to the HDEC, the plant is Azerbaijan's largest wind power project, developed by Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power. The project will allow for savings of 220 million cubic meters of natural gas and prevent the emission of more than 400,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year.
"Chinese companies have shown a strong collaborative mindset, working closely with ACWA Power and local stakeholders, while demonstrating flexibility and a solutions-oriented approach," said Ibrahim Adar, project director at ACWA Power. He said their growing experience in international renewable energy projects was clearly reflected in their performance.
"ACWA Power views China as an important strategic partner in the global energy transition," he said, adding that the company looks forward to expanding cooperation with Chinese enterprises in future renewable energy and green hydrogen projects. ■