In March the state-owned electricity monopoly, Azerenergy, announced that it plans to construct ten new hydro plants in Azerbaijan in 2011. The size of the planned generating capacity of the plants is small, with each expected to have a generating capacity of 1.5-20 mwt. Azerbaijan has increased its investment in electricity-generating infrastructure in recent years. Separately, the head of Azerenergy, Etibar Pirverdiyev, confirmed that construction of the Canub power plant, which will replace existing and obsolete infrastructure at Shirvan, is proceeding well. The Canub plant will have a capacity of 780 mw once completed. The plant, which is being constructed by Azerenergy, will operate with black oil and gas, and is expected to be completed in late 2011. Investment in the country's power infrastructure is necessary after years of underinvestment and neglect. Improvements to the power network will play a supporting role in encouraging economic diversification in Azerbaijan.