Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Jan 12 2005

Azerbaijan, Armenia to build new HPS

A new hydropower station will be constructed over the Araz River,
close to Ordubad district of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, on own
expenses of the Azerbaijani government. Views were exchanged on the
issue in a meeting of the Azerbaijani-Iranian economic commission
held on January 8-10, a source from the Azerenergy open joint-stock
company told AssA-Irada.
According to chief engineer of Azerenergy Marlen Asgarov, the
necessity of developing the feasibility study of the new hydropower
station by the end of this year was stressed during the meeting.
The Armenian side has also decided to use the water potential of the
Araz River jointly with Iran. The two countries’ energy ministers
have been assigned to lead the intergovernmental commission, which is
to coordinate the construction of the Mehri hydropower station over
the Araz River.
The commission has approved the feasibility study of the station, the
construction of which requires at least $120 million according to
initial estimations.
Some experts say that part of the Araz River, which passes through
the Armenian-Iranian border, is unfit for construction of a
hydropower station. Therefore, the mentioned station is planned to be
built over the river section crossing across the occupied lands of
Azerbaijan.*
From: Baghdasarian