Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 9
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak says that the country plans to build eight new electricity power plants in Iran.
Novak underlined that the western sanctions can not affect energy cooperation between Iran and Russia, Iran's Mehr news agency reported Sept. 9.
The Russian minister went on to add that the two sides have agreed on the issue, adding Russia also will participate in reconstruction of four old power plants in Iran.
Novak made the remarks after meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Hamid Chitchian.
Iran's ISNA news agency quoted Chitchian as saying the two sides have discussed construction of hydroelectric power plants as well as high voltage electricity transmission networks.
Novak is in Tehran for an official visit at the invitation of Iranian oil ministry.
The two sides already held talks on signing an agreement worth $ 8-10 billion in the energy sector during a former visit of Novak to Tehran in April. Novak and Chitchian discussed the transit of electricity between the two countries during the April meeting.
The Russian minister said that the power grids of Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan Republic are to be connected to that effect. The three neighboring countries are currently working to draft an agreement over the transit of electricity soon, according to the Russian official.
In a meeting with Novak on April 26, Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Mehdi Sanaei expressed Tehran's willingness to purchase electricity from Russia, and use the country's assistance in the construction of thermal power plants and renovation of two power stations in central and southwestern Iran.
Edited by CN