Iran, Russia continue talks on electricity

Tehran Times Economic Desk, May 30, 2005

TEHRAN — A conference discussing issues including the transfer, distribution and generation of electricity in the commonwealth countries was held in those republics and the vice-chairman of TAVAINR (Iran Power Generation & Transmission Management Organization), the main company of Iran’s Ministry of Energy responsible for generation and transmission of Iranian power grid, also attended the meeting.

As Iran’s representative in the conference, Hojjat met with the Russian officials and discussed issues relating to the transfer of electricity, particularly deciding on the best route for connecting Iran’s electricity grid to that of the Russia, Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reported.

Iran attaches high priority to boosting electricity exchange with its neighbors in particular with Russia. Iran’s Energy Minister, Habibollah Bitaraf, had recently noted that Iran is considering power transfer to Russia through Azerbaijan and Armenia. Also, Iran’s deputy energy minister, Mohammad Ahmadian, had earlier signed agreements on the power exchange between Iran and Azerbaijan Republic with Askarov, deputy chairman of Azerbaijan’s electricity company as well as with Anatoly Chubais, chairman of the board of directors of the Russian and the Commonwealth countries electricity company.

Between 500 megawatts to 800 megawatts of electricity will be exchanged between Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia starting the next year.