Azerbaijan launches seawater desalination project for Baku, Absheron

A seawater desalination project has been launched in Azerbaijan to help supply water to Baku and the Absheron Peninsula, Zamir Dibirov, Head of the Project Management Department at the Ministry of Economy, said during a panel discussion titled "Innovative Approaches in Managing Alternative Water Sources" held as part of Baku Water Week, Report informs.

Dibirov emphasized the importance of understanding the country's available water resources and how they are used before discussing alternative sources and innovative methods:

"Currently, about 50% of water is lost during usage, whereas globally, this figure stands at around 30–40%. The main reason for these losses is outdated infrastructure and improper usage."

He noted that under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Law adopted in 2022, the first projects have already been launched to modernize infrastructure, attract private sector expertise, and improve water resource management.

"Around 70% of water in Azerbaijan is used for agricultural purposes, particularly irrigation."

Dibirov added that PPP projects would ensure more efficient infrastructure management, timely water supply to the population, and a reduction in water losses:

"In the coming years, the list of PPP projects will be approved annually by the Cabinet of Ministers, enabling more effective and sustainable water resource management."