Mine clearance for bp’s solar power plant in Jabrayil almost complete

Mine clearance for the 240 MW Shafaq Solar Power Plant project implemented by bp in the Jabrayil district is almost complete, said Bakhtiyar Aslanbayli, bp Vice President for Caspian Communications and External Affairs.

"The area has been cleared of mines to a depth of 40 centimetres. The standing parts should be cleaned more deeply. This process is currently underway. At the same time, the commercial and technical parameters of the project are being finalized. There is almost no disagreement on commercial parameters. The positions are quite close. The last points are clarified," he said on May 31, according to Report.

The Karabakh (Garabagh) and East Zangazur regions of Azerbaijan had been heavily mined by Armenia’s forces since the 1990s. Following the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991, Armenia launched a full-blown military assault against Azerbaijan.

Since the end of the Second Karabakh War, the Azerbaijani government has been carrying out demining operations in the liberated territories to expedite the return of internally displaced persons.

Despite extensive efforts, demining operations faced many challenges due to Armenia’s refusal to hand over maps displaying the locations of the landmines. Azerbaijan obtained minefield maps from Armenia for the Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Zangilan districts, which were previously occupied, and which reportedly identify the coordinates of 189,000 anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.

Armenia also provided the Azerbaijani side with mine maps of other liberated territories of Azerbaijan. However, ANAMA reported that these maps were just 2 per cent effective in mine action.

International experts estimate that it will take nearly 30 years and $25 billion to solve issues related to demining.