Tehran, YJC. The energy ministers of the two countries agreed on the construction of a new power transmission line from Armenia to Iran.
In a meeting in Tehran on Saturday evening, Iran’s Minister
of Energy Hamid Chitchian and his Armenian counterpart Yervand Zakharyan held
talks on ways to boost electricity for gas trade, based on which Iran supplies
gas to Armenia and receives electricity.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Chitchian stated
that during the talks it was agreed that the third power transmission line
between the two countries and two hydroelectric power plants be constructed in
a bid to increase the potential for energy exchange.
He said that over the past two decades, the two countries
have had good cooperation in the area of energy and the Saturday meeting was an
emphasis on the continued cooperation between Iran and Armenia.
Earlier on Saturday, Iran's Deputy Energy Minister Houshang
Falahatian had said that the two sides have recently held meetings with
Armenian officials and, based on agreements, are constructing new power
transmission lines (from Armenia to Iran).
In May 2009, Iran and Armenia started trading gas and
electricity. According to a contract previously signed between the two
countries, Iran was planned to supply gas to Armenia until 2029 with or without
exchanging electricity with the country.
Falahatian also said that the amount of gas that has been
exported to Armenia and an amount of electricity imported from the country did
not match the agreed amount based on the contract between the two sides.
The financial resources for the new transmission line have
been supplied by Export Development Bank of Iran, he added.