Iran to export electricity to Russia via Azerbaijan, Armenia: Minister
August 13, 2018 - Separate negotiations have started with Armenia and Azerbaijan on export of electricity to Russia, said Iran's minister of energy.
Reza Ardakanian told IRNA on Monday that the linkage of Iran's electricity grid to that of Europe is being seriously pursued with a number of options under consideration.
One of the options is to link the networks via Iran's two northern neighbors (Armenia and Azerbaijan), said the minister.
Commenting on the ministry's plans for swapping electricity with regional countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iraq, the minister said necessary infrastructure is ready for power exchange.
However, Ardakanian explained that in its power swap with regional countries, Iran would in some cases be both the exporter and importer of energy while in other cases it would only be either the exporter or the importer.
Energy ties with neighboring countries, such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iraq are considered an advantage for Iran, the minister said.
He noted that the cut in electricity export to some neighbors this summer was due to the peak demand period, but export will be resumed once the power shortage is resolved.