Tehran, Iran, Nov.13
Trend:
Currently export of electricity from Iran to Iraq continues and the country wishes to carry on, since the Islamic Republic generates high domestic surplus electricity and willing to export it to the neighboring countries, spokesman for the power industry Mahmoud Reza Haqqi Fam told ILNA.
Iran halted electricity supplies to its western neighbor in July, partly due to unpaid bills, but also because of a spike in demand over summer.
The Islamic Republic has resumed exports to Iraq since August. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has reportedly agreed to build a solar power plant and sell electricity to Iraq at a steep discount compared to what the country previously bought from Iran.
Mahmoud Reza Haqqi Fam noted that this action on the Saudi Arabia's part is natural marketing.
"It's natural that countries look for marketing opportunities and it's not like they will become an alternative to Iran electricity export. Plus, the process of export requires months of preparation such as installment of infrastructures and distributing network," he added.
"Electricity export depends on electrical grid in each country and the geographical proximity. Due to Iran's regional capabilities, neighboring countries will prefer to buy our electricity," he said.
Haqqi Fam insisted the conditions of US re-imposed sanctions are not an obstacle for Iran's electricity exports.
"We seek to up the electricity export and sanctions have no effect on this, while Iraq is also exempted from the US sanctions," he noted.
Referring to the country's geographical position, and its proper network, the official indicated that Iran is the best choice to export electricity to Iraq.