Iran, Russia accelerate construction of electricity grids

Tehran, Feb 19, IRNA
Iran-Russia-Electricity

The Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia signed a letter of
understanding on Tuesday to speed up construction of power grids in
both countries.

The agreement was signed between Iran’s Energy Minister Parviz Fattah
and Chairman of Board of Directors of RAO UES of Russia Anatoly
B. Chubais.

The two sides called for expansion of mutual cooperation at mutual
and regional level.

Referring to the recent visit of Russian president to Tehran, the
Iranian minister said the visit was a turning point in expansion of
cooperation between the two countries.

Both Iran and Russia possess huge oil and gas resources which have
created grounds for expansion of cooperation in the energy sector,
he said.

It is quite obvious that expansion of ties between Iran and Russia
would dissatisfy a number of countries but the two powerful nations
are to keep on in line with their national interests, Fattah said.

Iran is ready to connect to Russia national grid and that Iran is
currently exchanging energy with regional countries such as Azerbaijan,
Armenia and Turkmenistan, he said.

Calling for expansion of investments in energy, electricity and dam
construction in both countries, Fattah said Iran and Russia could
cooperate in construction of Sangtoudeh 1 and 2 in Tajikistan.

The Russian envoy, for his part, said his country is willing to
broaden cooperation with Iran in energy sector adding that Iran
has had a remarkable progress in electricity industry and that the
generation of electricity has risen up ten percent in parallel with
6.5 percent of demand in market.

Iran and Russia are powerful in electricity sector, he said adding
that Russia is ready to broaden cooperation in the sector.

Russia benefits from powerful electricity networks in the North and
Iran in the South, the said adding that the two countries can jointly
cover the needs of regional countries, he pointed out.

Since generation of electricity by the year 2010 will hit 15 Gigabyte,
he said Russia has predicted a dlrs 130 billion investment in the
sector.

The two sides are to review cooperation in energy sector in the
upcoming session of the commonwealth countries in Moscow on May 23rd.