Hydropower plant construction to boost Yerevan-Tehran ties - Minister

PanARMENIAN.Net - Meghri hydropower plant construction will give renewed impetus to the development of Armenian-Iranian economic relations, President Serzh Sargsyan and Iran’s Minister of Energy Majid Namjoo said.

Iranian minister also voiced readiness to continue cooperation with Armenian side in implementation of joint energy projects.

Armenia and Iran signed an agreement on hydropower plant construction on River Arax in 2007, the document being ratified by both parliaments in 2008. On December 23, 2011, presidents of both countries instructed the ministers to launch implementation of strategic projects on construction of oil pipeline, Iranian-Armenian railway, and hydro station on River Arax.

Armenia and Iran have agreed to build the two most powerful hydropower plants in the South Caucasus, with the HPPs to be located in Meghri on the Armenian side and Karachilare – on the Iranian side.

Each of the plans will annually generate 793 mln kWh electricity, with the Meghri station construction estimated at USD 323 mln.

After completion of the construction, Iranian Farat-Sepasat company will assume the operation of the plant for 15 years, with the electricity to be supplied to Iran to cover-up the investments of the Iranian side. After the mentioned period, Armenia will take up the operation of the plant.

Armenian-Iranian joint technical committee will coordinate the construction works.