Azerbaijan proposes Iran to boost energy cooperation
By Rashid Shirinov
Azerbaijan and Iran, the two energy-rich neighbor countries, seek to boost the interaction in the energy sector through joint construction of power plants.
The joint construction of new power plants by Azerbaijan and Iran will enhance energy stability and export potential of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, said Etibar Pirverdiyev, the head of Azerenergy OJSC, the largest electrical power producer in Azerbaijan.
Pirverdiyev stressed the necessity of starting implementation of this project as soon as possible.
“This project is very important for both Azerbaijan and Iran,” Pirverdiyev said, further adding that the work on the project must be accelerated.
Earlier, the Iranian parliament passed a bill on the joint construction of two power plants with the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The hydroelectric power plants will be built near the Araz River borderline in the Iranian town Marazad and Azerbaijan’s Ordubad.
In December 2015, Azerbaijan and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding, which covers cooperation in some 12 different spheres of economy. The agreement promises new opportunities and prospects for economic cooperation between the two countries, in particular in the sphere of energy.
The document envisages cooperation in construction of new power plants at Khoda Afarin and Qiz Qalasi dams on Araz river, as well as construction of Ordubad power plant on the Azerbaijani side and Marazad power plant on the Iranian side.
Today, the generation capacity of Azerbaijan's power system is 7,200 megawatts. Power plants of Azerenergy generated 16.5 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in January-September 2016. Overall, the generation capacity of Azerbaijan's power system grew by 30 percent over the past five years.
Earlier, Iranian Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian noted that cooperation with Azerbaijan in electricity and water sectors should be boosted. He said that the two countries held talks on construction of geothermal and wind power plants in Iran's Meshkin Shahr and Khaf cities, and the projects are also to start soon.
There have also been talks of linking the electricity networks of Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Russia. The power grids of Azerbaijan and Iran have already been synchronized, and current volume of electricity trade between Tehran and Baku is 10 megawatt.
Experts believe that Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia and Georgia will benefit from linking their electricity networks.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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