President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the second steam-gas unit with the capacity of 409 MWt at the Shimal power station in Shuvalan district of Khazar region. 
The Head of State was warmly welcomed by construction workers.
President Ilham Aliyev was informed that the construction of the second steam-gas unit would be funded by the government-guaranteed loan of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in accordance with the Loan Agreement signed into law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on 14 June 2005.
The Head of State reviewed a stand showing the master plan of the project, the layout of the combined-cycle unit and the cooling water system. It was indicated that the Shimal power plant occupies a total area of 68 hectares, while the area on which the second steam-gas unit is to be built is 12 hectares.
It was noted that construction operations commenced on 10 December 2010 in accordance with the agreement between the consortium of main contractors, Japan`s Toyo Engineering Corporation and Azerbaijan`s Azenco Open Joint-Stock Company, and Azerenergy Open Joint-Stock Company.
The construction of the facility will be completed late 2013.
The President placed a symbolic metal capsule into the foundation and launched the grouting facility.
President Ilham Aliyev met with construction workers.
The President posed for photographs with the facility constructors.

AzerTAc