A fresh round of electricity and energy talks between Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan kicked off on Sunday morning in Tehran revolving around construction of new wind and geothermal power plants.
At a meeting with Azerbaijan's Minister of Economic Development Shahin Mustafayev, Iran’s Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian said Azerbaijan, Russia and Georgia experience electricity consumption peak in winter while the highest amount of electricity consumption for Iran takes place in summer; “accordingly, the ground is ready for electricity exchange between Iran and Caucasus countries and Russia in warm and cold seasons.”
Chitchian pointed out Iran’s readiness to export electricity to Georgia, Russia and Azerbaijan in winter commenting “moreover, the negotiations on construction of wind and geothermal power plants in the Iranian cities of Khaf and Meshkin Shahr will become operational in near future.”
“After the removal of sanctions, the ties between Iran and Azerbaijan have been increasingly developing,” stressed Iran’s energy minister adding “during the office of the incumbent government, a total of four meetings have taken place between the two countries’ president and the upcoming visit of the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Tehran will further expand bilateral relations.”
The official expressed his ministry’s willingness to boost collaborations with Azerbaijan Republic in water and electricity areas highlighting “proper measures have been taken for the construction of Khoda Afarin Dam and the exisiting barriers will soon be alleviated.”
Touching upon the project to connect network grids of Iran, Azerbaija, Georgia and Russia in the interests of the four countries, Hamid Chitchian stated “Iran can import electricity in summer and export it in winter reducing costs of new power plant constructions.”
On the sidelines of the meeting, Azerbaijani Minister of Economic Development Shahin Mustafayev referred to the Ordubad-Marazad memorandum sealed in 2014 which will soon be implemented.
He referred to the prolonged negotiations over the building of Khoda Afarin Dam expressing hope the project will soon become operational with the resolving of technical issues.
The Azeri official said the time is ripe for exports of electricity estimating that the existing problems will be removed in the coming month providing benefit for the three countries of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia.
HA/3562107
Your Comment