Tehran, Yerevan talk over electricity exports

The Islamic Republic of Iran and Armenia hold negotiations over the exports of electricity and related goods and services.

The talks have been held between the Niroo (Power) Research Institute of Iran (NRI) and Armenia’s Scientific Research Institute of Energy (SRIE) in Tehran.

Mohammad Sadeq Qazizadeh, head of NRI, said the talks led to initial agreements for the construction of the assembly line of some electric hardware in Armenia, Mehr news agency reported.

The latest discussions follow SRIE’s reported readiness to enhance power and energy ties with the Iranian institute.

Iran and Armenia signed a deal in 2004, based on which, Iran exported natural gas to its northwestern neighbor to generate electricity and in return, Armenia exported electricity to Iran.

Iran reportedly exports nearly one million cubic meters of natural gas to Armenia per day. Officials in Tehran had previously said that the volume could increase to as high as six million cubic meters per day.

Last August, Iran and Armenia signed a new contract for the construction of the third power transmission line that would enable the two countries to exchange more electricity.

The new power line, due to be completed in 18 months, is expected to increase the volume of electricity exports from Armenia to Iran by 700 megawatts to reach a total of 1,000 megawatts.